Thank you all for the advice and suggestions for replacing my alternator
brushes and voltage regulator.

The original problem that led to this improvement was a battery that would
not hold a charge or fully charge up. Left sitting without driving for more
than one day the van would not start.

At Auto Zone I diagnosed the battery which they said needed a full charge to
properly diagnose the battery. I used a trickle charger to charge the
battery overnight. The test the next day determined that the battery was
good. This battery was less than one year old.

Next Steve Freyling (a local list member) used his volt meter to test the
alternator. His syncro read charging at 14.5 or so and mine read 13.4
something.

Next step advice from about 8 people about how to replace the brushes. You
all were right as usual. Less than a 5 minute job and the alternator did not
need to be removed if I used a channel lock pliers on the bottom screw of
the voltage regulator to get it out and tighten it when the new one was
installed.

The VW dealer wanted $69 for the new part. I went to Vee Parts (619)
477-4787 in South San Diego California who sold it to me for $35 plus tax.
(and $4 in gasoline and one hour in time to get there and back.)

My old regulator had one brush at 1/4 inch long an the other at 3/16 inches
long which the parts person pointed out. Brush springs seemed weak also.

Steve and I will test the new regulator today or tomorrow.

As a final step I may try to find brushes to rebuild the old regulator as a
back up but I am told the brushes are hard to find. Any leads to find
brushes appreciated.

William
1989 Vanagon GL
1988 Mercedes 300SE