[Vwdiesel] Finally need a new alternator? Burning through brushes.

[Will Taygan]

Well, looks like I've got 1/8" of axial play - pretty substantial it
seems - AND the rear slip ring is 1/2 silver and 1/2 copper with 1/16"
deep groove.

I'm hoping the missing copper on 1/2 of a slip ring is my problem.

I suppose it's time to break down an actually get a rebuilt alternator,
even if there's wire issues.

Side note: While changing the battery 2 weeks ago at -15F, I
accidentally broke the insulation on the 2 little wires that go to the
alternator (near the battery).  I wrapped electrical tape around them,
and thought they might be the problem, but they seems okay.

THANKS!

Will in Alaska.

On Tue, 2009-01-13 at 02:53 -0500, LBaird119 at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 1/12/2009 11:33:45 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
> william at taygan.com writes:
> 
> > I can see the slip rings, I just don't know what to look for.  Shiny
> > spots with some dirty gunk? (more gunk on the rear faster-burning one)
> > 
> > I DID just change the battery and yank the cables..  I'll check for a
> > bad connection.
> > 
> > (I've had terrible squealing problems with this alternator, although it
> > turns freely - I was wondering if something other than the belt/pulley
> > could be causing it to have more resistance.)
> > 
> 
>   Usually you look for major wear.  It'll make grooves with just a 
> little ridge

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