4kq alternator / charging system problems

[William Perron]

Patient - 1985 4000 quattro
Background:
Drove around in Saturday's snow, when I returned I
parked the car in a garage.  Started it up monday
evening to find a dimly lit battery/seatbelt/other
warning lights--noticed from voltmeter that the
alternator was not charging.
Steps taken so far:
1.  Decided problem was voltage regulator.  Went to
remove VR, but broke off rusty  screws.
2.Changed out alternator for spare I had around

Current Symptoms
1. ignition  "on" position,  no "batt" light is
illuminated
2.  Oil warning buzzer is now sounding, and light is
illuminated
3.  Normal coolant, OXS lights are not illuminated
anymore
4.  alternator does not charge w/ engine running


Troubleshooting so far:
1.  Checked for battery voltage at positive terminal
on alternator--battery voltage exists
2.  Checked "batt" bulb for resistance -- bulb is good
3.  Checked for 12v at blue excitor wire post on
alternator with ignition "ON" -- 12 v exists w/
ignition on .
4.  Checked to see if alternator case is grounded by
measuring voltage between + alternator post and case
-- case is grounded
5.  Just for kicks - swapped in regulator from old
alternator -- no change in symptoms.

Next steps:
I think I need to replace the alternator or voltage
regulator, but I just want to make sure that something
else is not messed up -- especially since the oil
warning buzzer/light is now sounding/illuminating, and
the OXS, and coolant lights do not  light up anymore
when the key is turned to "ON" before the engine is
started.

Any help appreciated as I need to get this working by
Sat AM to go to the emissions test...



Thanks in advance,
Bill Perron
'85 4kq



		
__________________________________ 
Do you Yahoo!? 
Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search.
http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250