Greg,
My money's on worn alternator brushes. Got a spare voltage regulator?
Let us know what you find.
John

On Jan 4, 2008 8:33 PM, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote:
> Hi Volks,
>
> I was driving the vanagon on the highway tonight and as I cruised up
> the off-ramp I saw the battery warning light was on. I figured it had
> spit the belt, and made a note to deal with it as soon as I got home,
> since I was only a few miles further. And then as I pulled away from
> the off-ramp, the light went out. Uh-oh, says I... That's the sign of
> a wonky alternator, or a VERY loose belt. So I kept watch on the
> tachometer to get an idea of how bad the problem was... it seemed to
> vary a bit, lighting up when below 2,200 to 3,000 RPM.
>
> But it didn't last 7 minutes before the engine quit completely. I
> still had dash lights and emergency flashers (dim, and fast-
> flashing), but the starter wouldn't even click. I checked the belts
> and they were OK, but the battery connection was pretty loose. I
> pried off the + terminal without much trouble at all. Luckily I was
> very close to my brother's house at the time and he and I were able
> to tow the vanagon back to my house.
>
> So what's the prognosis?  Did the loose battery terminal allow the
> battery to run flat, or does this pattern indicate a failed
> alternator?  I can throw a spare marine battery into it tomorrow to
> get it running again; once it's lit up I can put a voltmeter on it
> and see if it's charging.
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> 1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato
> 1985 Sunroof Vanagon Automatic 8-passenger Vanagon (Winter custodian)
> www.pottsfamily.ca
> www.busesofthecorn.com
>

--
John Meeks
'91 Multivan, '85 GL bits
Northern Michigan
Vanagon Rescue Squad
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Vanagon_Rescue_Squad74.htm