Alternator Adventure

[John Larson]

Well, I run out of ideas:

I installed a new alternator in my typ85. Turn the car on and it is not
charging. Panel's voltimeter shows 12V and goes down if I turn the head
lights
on. I have a yellow Optima deep cycle, so one expects 12V for a long time.

1st  - I checked the D+, and it has 12V.

2nd - I checked the Alternator output and it's the same 12V (could be the
voltimeter in the panel, who knows?)

3rd  - I checked if there is a good ground on the alternator, and it does.

Is there anything else I could test?

TIA,

Carlos.

Well, there are several things.  The D+/61 wire, the blue one from the bulb,
has to be connected and carry voltage.  It has to be on the small insulated
terminal.  Some alternators use a 5mm post with a nut, some use a pushon
tab.  If the light goes on when you turn on the key, that wire is connected
to something, you just need to be sure it's the right something.  If you
unplug the wire and the light goes out, the wire's OK.  That done, the
ground at that terminal should go away when the engine starts and the RPMs
go over 1200-1500 RPM, sometimes a little more.  If the light fails to go
out, then you either have the blue wire on the wrong post or the alternator
is no good.  You said you have a "new" alternator.  If you purchased
anything over the counter at a mass marketer, or even a general autoparts
store, and it's NOT a "genuine Bosch remanufactured alternator", there's a
good chance it's no good.  If it is a Bosch reman, it will have come in a
Bosch box.  I had mine done at "Ultranator", Avi Meron's business (he's a
lister), and I'm VERY happy with the results.  He's the only other source
I'd trust.  I know there are many other local sources that are probably just
fine, but NONE of them sell through autoparts stores, and many don't really
know Bosch equipment all that well.  HTH, John