Hey Dylan, check your output voltage first.  It could be that your
regulator/brush pack is worn.  An easy fix if that's it.

On Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 6:32 AM, Mike Elliott <camping.elliott@gmail.com>wrote:

> 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 ALTa
> 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
>>
>>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27