need HELP: alternator problem

[kbogach]

I forgot to mention that I have the battery light, breaks light and ABS off light are on when it happens.
It looks like I have a nice dialogue with myself :-)
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: kbogach 
  To: quattro at audifans.com 
  Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2001 12:17 AM
  Subject: Re: need HELP: alternator problem


  Ok, after some thinking and reading I can make more concise and concrete questions:
   When I boot the alternator with some initial current (engine runs) it kicks on (it always happened before and this time I take the noise as a proof of it), but then magnetic field dies (noise disappear). Of course, I should've measure voltage instead of assuming that the noise means kick on, but...  I think that noise may be result of  changing the load  on bearings due to force from created magnetic field on moving rotor/electromagnet.  What else can it be?  The only moving part - rotor moved before and after the booting procedure. What could kill the EM field? If brushes are bad why it starts (consistently)  in first place? 
  Why I am asking these questions instead of checking brushes first? Because I don't have a garage and it is 20 - 30 deg. outside.  I'd like to minimize my exposure to that hostile environment.  

  Thanks.

  Konstantin Bogach.
  200tq '89
  200tqw '89


  ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: kbogach 
    To: quattro at audifans.com 
    Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2001 8:20 PM
    Subject: need HELP: alternator problem


    Hi all.
    Today morning when I loaded my 200tq '89 with tools to go to fix and pick up my "new" 200tqw '89 (it has no breaks, needs MC)  the alternator warning light did not refuse go off, no charging. I had such thing before but ... a little of history: when it happened first time I cleaned blue wire contact but it did not help. I found that exciter current was less than spec. After I gave it a quick "push" from +12V (through a bulb, using connection at FL headlight) it started charging. I used this method each time it happened (not that often to address it more seriously).  But I did not know the main reason. 
    Today this method did not help.  When I touched + with wire giving "push" to the alternator it started to sound like it has bad bearings. Sound disappeared in 3-4 seconds. It did it every time I touched the terminal.  I am not good in electronics. I have not idea what it might be.  I don't have a garage so method of trials and errors is a pain. I will appreciate any idea which can help me to narrow my search.

    Thank you.

    Konstantin Bogach
    200tq '89 (jealous one)
    200tqw '89 (did not see its new home yet)
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