From: Stephen  Steele <steeles@horizonview.net>
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:20:20 -0400
To: "dhanson@gorge.net" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject: Re: Stuck in Alturas with electrical mystery

DH:
Sure sounds like an alternator to me.
Very easy to check, even with your limited resources in "a pretty small town
with just a few mechanics".
Low output to the battery would cause the symptoms you have experienced.
Fist clue is that at idle (no/low load) the light stays off; which continues
on to full on as the load increases... the idiot light is doing it's job.
Second clue is that switching the battery extended your driving time.
My $.02 says it's the alternator. Check the output at the positive side of
the battery or on the back of the alternator... you're looking for amps here
not volts... you do not mention year or model... Westies have bigger amp
alternators... not sure of the numbers as my Bentley is not with me at the
present.
Charge your batteries...drive to a town with a big enough parts store that
would have a Bosch alternator... easy change out and drive on home.

Stephen Steele
Chillicothe OH
'89 Westy no name yet
'73 Sportsmobile Pop Top...  Creamsicle?
'91 Caravelle  "Hans"... FS
'90 Carat      "Parts"
'74 MGB  My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74
'00 Jetta TDi daily driver
'02 Jetta Wagon VR6  Wife's car
Ex Vans/VWs:
'81 Vanagon  from 1985-1990
'84 Westfalia  "Fritz" 2000-2004 now with Son #1
'87 Westfalia  "Franz" 2002-2005  now with Son #2
'88 Jetta GL  1990-1992
'92 Jetta GL  1992-1998
'90 Jetta     1999-2003
'91 Jetta Diesel STOLEN 10-12-06
'81 Rabbit diesel   1999-2003
'82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U.  1999-2004