This is normal operation. The audible click is the relay under the
drivers seat that disconnects the 12v refrigerator heating element when
the alternator is not charging. The warning light serves two purposes.
One is to let you know that the alternator is not charging when the
ignition is on. The second purpose is the provide current to the
alternator to get it started. The bulb keeps current from back flowing
into the ignition circuit when the ignition is switched off. The relay
loads the circuit down causing the Westy's to require being revved
higher before the alternator "kicks in".

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jeremy Speer
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 10:07 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Charging light question

Folks,

While my newly acquired '89 westy sits out front encased in a cocoon of
ice
(Minneapolis has re-entered winter for a while) my idle mind is
pondering
questions while i wait for the thaw.

When i start it up (warm/cold makes no difference) the charging LED
stays on
until i rev the engine just a bit above idle. There is sometimes an
audible
click, then the LED goes off and stays off. Time for a new voltage
regulator?

Also, does anybody know a source for those dashboard LED's?

-jspeer

'87 Westy, yet-to-be-named