[Vwdiesel] Alternator Problems

[Shalyn Shourds]

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>Appearance wise, the alternator looked like it had been rebuilt in someone's
>back yard.
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Probably looks like mine.  That's where I rebuilt it.

>I installed the alt and fired up the rabbit. The red light glowed brightly
>while idling but went out when the motor was revved. I drove it around for
>about 5 minutes and the red light still glowed brightly at idle.
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>Second question: Would bad grounds or battery connections cause this behavior?
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    I fooled myself into thinking that my alternator was charging the
battery when it did just that one time.  Drove for a couple hundred
miles at night with the lights on before I realized the error of my
ways.  In my case, the big wire from the alternator was broken at the
terminal lug on the alternator.  Since it is a later alternator (A2) it
has a ring stud and not the moulded rubber connector.  So, yup.  Could be.

>With the old alt, the voltage was about 12.4 at all engine speeds. The red
>light stayed on constantly. With the rebuilt alt, voltage was about 13.4 volts
>when the engine was revved and about 12.6 V at idle.
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For this question, I'd have to know more electrical theory than "Works"
or "Doesn't Work", so I'll defer to one of our even smarter and better
looking experts.  It was about 11:45 pm outside of Corsicanna, Texas
when mine broke like that and I couldn't summon the scientific
curiousity to pull out the voltmeter.  Fixed the broken wire and roll
started the car.  Drove home.

>Third question: Is there a source for bearings and brushes for rebuilding these
>alternators?
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>TIA
>
>m alexander
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    I was fortunate to find a local alternator shop that was willing to
sell me the bearings, brushes, etc.  Owner even gave me some very
helpful tips on rebuilding the things.  Helped that he just didn't
rebuild Bosch alternators anymore and wanted to get rid of his last
parts, but he was also just a really nice guy.  Two other shops in town
told me $200.  One of those offered to sell the parts instead.  For
$200.  Kind of makes you want to leave a flaming paper bag on their
doorstep.  With the good shop, I was able to get out the door for $18.
 Much cheaper than the evil shop.  So, check around.  Worst they can
tell you is that all they'll do is rebuild it.

-Shalyn

-85 Jetta TD 277,000 mi
-65 MB 190Dc, no fresh miles since 1991