[Vwdiesel] Alternator testing tricks?

[Mark Shepherd]

I have in the past found 'substitute' brushes for things by taking the
brush along to an industrial tool supplier and routing out a few
'fileable' substitutes at a few $ equiv...
Miser
----- Original Message -----
From: Shawn Wright <swright at zuiko.sls.bc.ca>
To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2005 7:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Alternator testing tricks?


> Thanks for the troubleshooting tips. In this case, I didn't need to look
> to far - the problem was a loose nut on the alternator! Charged battery
> overnight, resting V was 12.7V. Started right up, and alternator light
> went out at ~1000rpm. Voltage is steady at 14.3V from idle to 3000 rpm.
> So I think I'm ok, hope I didn't damage the battery too badly. I will run
> my spare and leave the other on charge until the hydrometer says it's ok.
>
> btw, anyone have a source for just the brushes? I have several good
voltage
> regulators with worn brushes. Last time I bought a reg, they were about
$14, now
> they are at least twice that! I'd like to try replacing some brushes.
>
> On 12 Nov 2005 at 20:11, Sandy Cameron <scameron at compmore.net> wrote:
>
> > At 04:50 PM 11/12/05 -0800, you wrote:
> > >The last two drives on my '88 Westy TD have resulted in a slow
starting
> > >battery. Today, it was a no-starting battery. Luckily, I had thrown a
spare
> > >battery under the seat. Back home, I checked the battery with a
hydrometer -
> > >all cells were equally low. It also didn't seem to recharge much at
all after
> > >1/2 hr driving, so I suspect the alternator. Aside from the obvious
> > >regulator/brush assembly replacement, what other tricks are there for
> > >diagnosing a worn out alternator? The alt light goes out right away,
and has
> > >never flickered at all.
> >
> > That may indicate the alternator and regulator are OK, but it's not
> > commected to the battery.
> >
> > Look for obvious broken lugs or cable from alt output to wherever it
> > connects to Batt+
> >
> > If the light comes on when the key is turned , the reg is drawing
power, the
> > brushes are probably ok. The light goes out when you rev the engine,
the
> > regulator is working and the diode triple feeding it. Now all that's
left is the
> > main diode bridge and the wiring that carries the juice to the battery.
> >
> > Double check the grounds too, always were a weak point.
> > I dont trust the ground return thru the block. I added a lug to the
back of the
> > alternator and ran a heavy ground wire from that to the neg batt term.
> >
> > Sandy
> >
> >
>
> Shawn Wright
> http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
> '85 Jetta D
> '88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
>  (see progress at http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels)
> '82 Diesel Westy
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Vwdiesel mailing list
> Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.0/167 - Release Date: 11/11/05
>
>