Replacing the brushes is easy although I don't know if it will fix your
problem.  To replace the brushes remove the alternator, then remove teh
black plastic box on the back which is the voltage regulator and it holds
the brushes in.  After removing the box the brushes will fall out of their
slots in the voltage regulator.  You will be able to tell if they need to
be replaced or not by how short they are.  If they need replacing grind
off the solder on the outside of the black box which will free the
brushes, buy new brushes ($2) and solder their wires back where the old
ones were.  This is easy and it will all make sense once the alternator is
out.  If you need to replace the alternator check tom carrington's site
for info on using a cheaper bug alternator.

I would recommend checking your brushes before a very long trip as
preventive maintence and if your alterntor light ever comes on while
driving pull over immediately as you may have broken the alternaor/water
pump belt (happened to me last weekeend) no serious problem.

later,
Andrew fox

On Mon, 22 Apr 2002, developtrust wrote:

> Steve Freyling, a local list member, came over to help me diagnose my
> alternator. He says it should put out 14.5 or so on a volt meter and mine is
> putting out 13.3 or so.
>
> Any advice anyone in what the problem might be? How easy will it be for me
> to replace the brushes?
>
> William
> 1989 Vanagon GL
> 1988 Mercedes 300SE
>