I finally got enough time off from work and the weekend family activities to
take a serious look at Son#1's Westy.
I prodded and poked at all the possibilities (grounds, connectors, wire
condition) in the engine compartment and up to the battery for an hour or so
before finding the problem.
The "new" alternator is doing its job and the battery is being charged even
though the OXS and Alt lights were staying on.  The culprit was a broken
wire inside the rubber shielding of the small signal wire coming off the
back of the alternator at about two inches away from the connector.  A clip
and splice of a spade connector did the trick.
Posting for the archives and to say thanks to all those that replied
privately.
--
Stephen
Chillicothe OH

on 11/25/04 18:27, Son Of A Vanagon at sonofavanagon@YAHOO.COM wrote:
>...
> This afternoon we changed the alternator.  The battery
> was dead (and dying) Turns out the old alternator was
> shot. (switched the non-power-producing old one with a
> working alternator from a 2.1). Seems to work.
> The van runs well, sounds like there may be a little
> backfire action if you listen closely (OSX??).
> Even after replacing the alternator the lights are
> still on.