Same thing happened on my '84 Vanagon this week.  The colder it was, the
more the idiot light came on.  Drove to work Wednesday morning on the
battery.  Found a FLAPS on my fourth call that said they had the correct
voltage regulator in stock.  Held it on a credit card and picked it up on
the way home.  Managed to get home before battery died.  Removed old
regulator.  Brush nearest the transistor was not extending all the way to
the commutator,  Put new regulator in.  Now charging correctly.

John Lauterbach
Macon, GA
----- Original Message -----
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2000 8:42 PM
Subject: Alternator woe? (Not Vanagon)

> Here's a wee VW/Bosch puzzler.
>
> My Jetta TD (180k+) has been parked for 8 days in sub-freezing/snowy
> weather here in NC. Prior to parking, everything worked great. This
> evening, it started right up, and sounded great. The alternator light
would
> not go out though. The alternator was rebuilt about 11 months ago, and the
> battery is 2 months old.
>
> So I jiggled the wires on the back of the alternator, and tapped lightly
on
> the brush holder. Nothing. Light stayed on. I figured I'd study the
> schematic when I got home, as everything worked fine. Bright lights,
strong
> blower, rear defog, everything worked like the alternator was doing its
> thing. Me & Mrs. B. drove 75 miles back to Raleigh in it.
>
> About 5 miles from our soon-to-be-former apartment (we're in the midst of
a
> move to a great house with a big ugly fence), the lights dimmed
> considerably, and various things acted as if there weren't enough
electrons
> flowing. We made it, and the battery recharger is.
>
> I am thinking the brushes might be stuck in their holders, but I am
looking
> for other guesses, as I have never seen this happen. I just know
> (theoretically) they could. But why would I have (apparently) full
> electrons for most of the journey, then suddenly none?
>
> Heppme.
>
> G. Matthew Bulley
> Bulley-Hewlett
> Corporate Communications Counselors
> www.bulley-hewlett.com
> Cary, NC USA
> 888.468.4880 tollfree
>
> "I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses
> herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera . . . fax mentis
> incendium gloria culpum, et cetera, et cetera . . . memo bis punitor
> delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal!      -Wonka