[Vwdiesel] 89 Jetta D phantom voltage PROGRESS

[mark shepherd]

To fully charge a battery on the car would require voltages high enough to 
blow bulbs, not neccessarily immediately, but not long after, especially 
when going over bumps. The lights would be nice whilst they lasted though.

Mark
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doyt W. Echelberger" <doyt at buckeye-express.com>
To: <vwdiesel at audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 9:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] 89 Jetta D phantom voltage PROGRESS


>
> Hello Bryan and the others that were interested in my "phantom voltage" 
> post.
>
> Since all evidence pointed at least to the alternator as the failure unit, 
> I did the easiest thing and swapped in a new regulator with its new 
> brushes and clean contacts.
>
> The alternator now runs WITHOUT the very high pitched (but not loud) note 
> that vaguely  sounded like metal on metal.
>
> When I switch on the ignition but do not start the car, red the battery 
> light comes on and the yellow "glow plug" light comes on.
>
> The red light battery light goes off1 when the car is running.
>
> I measured the output voltage at 14.3 volts immediately upon starting, and 
> at idle.
>
> The numbers look good.
>
> I will test this new factor for a few weeks and see if I get into any more 
> situations where the car won't start and needs to be jumped after sitting.
>
> I also had a chat with a fellow that earns his living overhauling 
> alternators and starters in a private shop. He said that my alternator 
> (and alternators in general) are not set up to bring the car battery up to 
> its maximum voltage, but only to maintain whatever charge the battery has 
> by supplying alternator current to handle the load of light, fans, A/C and 
> accessories when the car is running. He said you have to use a charger to 
> bring the battery up to its maximum charge, and then have a working 
> alternator to keep it that way.
>
> OK, I listened to him and told you what he said. The guy has a building 
> the size of my house, full of shelves of alternators and starters  and 
> charging system parts, and a work bench with tools to tear them apart and 
> put them together and test them under load. And he has been doing it for 
> about 25 years, working on all kinds of brands and vehicles, from bull 
> dozers and 18 wheelers down to passenger cars and motorcycles. (That sure 
> tops my background by about a million percent.)
>
> So, there you have it. Maybe some of you have comments. I think it has 
> been a very interesting thread.
>
> Doyt
>
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> At 10:10 AM 5/31/2011, you wrote:
>>SWAP the brushes first from one of your spares.  The will cost you 0$ and 
>>could be the issue.
>>
>>
>>
>>Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
>>04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :<)
>>92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel, 5sp -- running :<)
>>82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- running :<)
>>70 Type 1 stock Elm Green Beetle -- Under Restoration :-)
>>
>>
>>
>>From: Doyt W. Echelberger <doyt at buckeye-express.com>
>>To: vwdiesel at audifans.com
>>Sent: Sun, May 29, 2011 11:19:36 AM
>>Subject: [Vwdiesel] 89 Jetta D phantom voltage RESPONSES
>>
>>That was a HUGE amount of help, guys. I appreciate the detail and the 
>>suggested tests. It will take me a few days to try the suggested tests. 
>>But as you say, the fingers all point to the alternator. I have a few 
>>spare ones from earlier Jettas that have gone to the bone yard, and if 
>>necessary, I can buy a rebuild.
>>
>>James, thanks for the details on the blue wire and the diode tests and how 
>>the alternator should hit 13.8 right away. That is 99 percent convincing 
>>that the solution is to R&R the alternator, and I can get busy making that 
>>happen.
>>
>>I'm leaving the Jetta at home until it is healthy again, and driving the 
>>Benz out of town for Memorial Weekend activities. Thanks again for being 
>>there with the virtual roadside help.
>>
>>Doyt
>>
>>
>>
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>
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