To me, the place to start would be to determine if the ALT lamp is telling
the truth or not. As has already been mentioned, check the voltage at the
battery with a digital voltmeter. With engine off or just started but
never revved, the meter should ready less than 13 volts, like around 12.2
(engine on) to 12.6 volts (engine off); once you rev the engine the first
time, the alternator should kick in (thus normally extinguishing the ALT
light) and the voltage should rise to between 13 to 14 volts. If that
isn't happening, then suspect failed alternator or faulty wiring to it. If
that does happen then suspect a fault in the wiring to or with your ALT
lamp or driver circuitry.
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR

On 8/8/2008 6:11 AM dylan friedman wrote:

> I double checked all wiring.
> The alt. light is dimly lit if that helps at all.
>
> df
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Sent: Friday, August 8, 2008 5:53:37 AM
> Subject: Re: alt. light
>
> In a message dated 07/08/2008 7:58:28 P.M. Central Standard Time,
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>
>         Blue wire to alternator is  not connected properly.
>
>
>
>>>>> Van has new battery.
> new alt., with proper  tension.
> Dash pod has been tested and a good used one swapped  in.
>
> Alt. light comes on and stays on while driving.
>
> Please  advise how to trace this issue<<<<
>
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank  Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
> _Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
> - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
> _Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/exhaust.htm)
> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 12 ~ 15,  2008
>