Hi Bobby,

The blue wire from the alternator leads to the black box in the engine
compartment.  Seen here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/inmytree1/SubaruToVanagonWiring#5333239851460317186

These are the wires that should go to the alternator:

http://picasaweb.google.com/inmytree1/SubaruToVanagonWiring#5333240338240080386

Notice the broken blue idiot wire, not an uncommon phenomenon.

Hope that helps a bit,

Jim
Wilmington, NC

On Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 7:36 AM, Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@gmail.com> wrote:

> All:
> I am going through the procedure to clean and reinstall all my grounds. So
> far, it is evident to me this had already been done by previous owner. I am
> thinking this will not solve my problem.
>
> I will complete this exercise, regardless. Clean all connections, replace
> questionable terminals, add extra ground, lube all connections with
> dielectric grease.
>
> Electricity is voodoo to me. I can't see it. In my mind, I likely have one
> of two problems because the alternator passed test on the bench and is also
> putting out volts (at the alternator itself) according to the test meter
> while in operation on the van.
>
>
>   1. Exciter wire is not hooked up properly or is broken somewhere. Where
>   does this blue wire go from the alternator? Do I understand correctly
> this
>   wire is connected by small ring terminal to one of the small "case" studs
> on
>   the alternator?
>   2. Or, current from the alternator is not completing circuit back to the
>   battery. Which wire(s) off the alternator go to the battery? I did
>   accidentally arc the cable from the starter on the alternator and have
> since
>   replaced that terminal, so I am thinking the "other" cable that goes
> across
>   the engine and disappears into the frame might be the wire taking current
> to
>   the battery? Should I just replace all the wires coming off the
> alternator?
>
>
> Thanks and any information is greatly appreciated.
>
> On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 9:48 PM, Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Donnie,
> > I now have very similar circumstances. I don't think my blue wire was
> ever
> > connected previously.
> >
> > Now my battery light and OXS light are on constantly and the FLAPS
> > alternator test machine says the alternator is not putting out volts.
> >
> > So I am seriously stumped. Will advise when I learn more.
> >
> > Bobby
> >
> >
> > On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 7:28 PM, Donnie Evans <fullmetalbuddha@live.com
> >wrote:
> >
> >>  *Dear sir,*
> >> *   I was just put on the vanagon so Im not quite sure how this thing is
> >> working... but I have an issue with my vanagon, 84, 1.9l*
> >> *   The blue wire to alternator was broken, so I fixed it and now the
> >> battery and the OXS lights flicker randomly. And if I let it idle or
> come to
> >> a red light the battery and OXS lights come on solid until I rev the
> engine
> >> or accelerate.*
> >> *   Any ideas? or maybe you can forward this to the right person to ask?
> >> Any help is greatly appreciated.*
> >> *   Thanks*
> >> **
> >>
> >> > Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2009 17:33:11 -0400
> >> > From: bobbybrown1@GMAIL.COM
> >> > Subject: Re: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL
> >> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >> >
> >> > Alternator still not putting out volts to the system.
> >> > Battery light on the dash just stays on, indicating a charging
> problem.
> >> >
> >> > More checking, I guess.
> >> >
> >> > Bobby
> >> >
> >> > On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 12:40 AM, Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@gmail.com>
> >> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > > Gregory,
> >> > > That's a BIG 10-4 on the little blue wire. I am about the 4th owner
> of
> >> this
> >> > > van and I steady trying to rectify Previous Owners duct tape,
> hot-wire
> >> &
> >> > > lazy repairs and maintenance.
> >> > >
> >> > > The little blue wire on my van has NO terminal. And I dang sure
> don't
> >> > > remember it being connected to JACK previously.
> >> > >
> >> > > So for a quick test after midnight...I stripped some of the wire
> off,
> >> > > loosened the nut off the small stud to the right of the proper "Red"
> >> wire
> >> > > connectors and wrapped the blue wire round and tightened her up.
> >> > >
> >> > > At this point, the van does NOW have the "battery" light indicating
> >> with
> >> > > key "on".
> >> > >
> >> > > So....maybe a trip back to the FLAPS and have them test again. Gotta
> >> go
> >> > > there tomorrow anyway to get some new ring connectors.
> >> > >
> >> > > Gregory...BIG THANKS my man. BIG THANKS to all the list members.
> Y'all
> >> are
> >> > > bringing me along like a new baby calf in the herd.
> >> > >
> >> > > Bobby
> >> > >
> >> > > On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 10:28 PM, Gregory Smith <
> gfs@gregoryfsmith.com
> >> >wrote:
> >> > >
> >> > >> A couple of things:
> >> > >>
> >> > >> � Always disconnect the battery ground wire from the (-) battery
> >> terminal
> >> > >> before working on your alternator or starter. This wil prevent the
> >> arcing
> >> > >> which can cause a fair amount of damage or a fire.
> >> > >> � The big red wire(s) to the alternator goes to the starter
> >> (sometimes 2
> >> > >> wires and another to the A/C toward the left side) and therefore on
> >> to the
> >> > >> battery, it will be live with (+) any time the battery is hooked
> up.
> >> > >> � The smaller light blue wire should have a ring terminal
> connector,
> >> it
> >> > >> goes to the small stud on the right on the alt. This is the
> "exciter"
> >> wire
> >> > >> and if it's disconnected, the dash light won't, and the alt. won't
> >> charge.
> >> > >> Check to make sure this smaller wire is connected and doesn't have
> a
> >> break
> >> > >> in it.
> >> > >> � You mentioned your voltage regulator is missing a screw, and so
> it
> >> could
> >> > >> be installed incorrectly (brushes not making contact) or some
> >> regulators
> >> > >> have a ground ring/tab under one of the screws that could be
> missing
> >> on
> >> > >> yours. So find a screw that matches and install it. Remember to
> >> disconnect
> >> > >> the (-) battery cable before doing this.
> >> > >> � The big red wires connect to a stud on the starter, where a
> larger
> >> red
> >> > >> wire then connects to the battery, this is how the voltage from the
> >> > >> alternator gets to the battery. Make sure these connections are
> >> tight.
> >> > >>
> >> > >> If all else fails, take the alternator to a shop and have it
> tested.
> >> > >> Usually if it doesn;t work it's the regulator/brush pack. The
> brushes
> >> have
> >> > >> a minimum length, I think it's about 5mm. They should be the same
> >> length if
> >> > >> you check this.
> >> > >>
> >> > >> Hope this helps, mine is also an '88.
> >> > >>
> >> > >> Gregory Smith
> >> > >>
> >> > >> Smith Design Studio
> >> > >> Small Building Company
> >> > >> Olympia, WA
> >> > >> 360-239-0429
> >> > >> gregoryfsmith.com
> >> > >>
> >> > >> -------- Original Message --------
> >> > >> Subject: Re: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL
> >> > >> From: Bobby Brown <bobbybrown1@gmail.com>
> >> > >> Date: Sat, August 01, 2009 6:13 pm
> >> > >> To: "Geo & Kathleen Hahn" <ahwahnee@cybertrails.com>, Scott Daniel
> -
> >> > >> Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>, pdooley <
> psdooley@verizon.net
> >> >,
> >> > >> Loren Busch <starwagen@gmail.com>, Gregory Smith <
> >> gfs@gregoryfsmith.com>
> >> > >> Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> >> > >>
> >> > >> First of all...thanks to you all for your responses and
> >> encouragement. I
> >> > >> am trying to maintain my cool, because I am also unexpectedly
> having
> >> a "no
> >> > >> fuel" problem in my ROCK STEADY STABLE 84' MK1 Rabbit GTi...SAME
> DAY!
> >> He
> >> > >> won't crank...but anyway.
> >> > >> To answer some questions. The van does not light the "Alt" or
> >> "Battery" or
> >> > >> "Charging" light with the key "ON" and no cranking. The cable that
> >> comes
> >> > >> from the left side of the engine bay and presumably comes from the
> >> fuse
> >> > >> panel also does not show any voltage when removed from the
> alternator
> >> and
> >> > >> the key "on". I guess those two make sense?
> >> > >>
> >> > >> The van cranks and runs "fine" otherwise. But I guess that's
> because
> >> I
> >> > >> have a brand new battery in there. I will take the advice of a
> >> battery
> >> > >> charger, because I have always wanted one anyway and now have a
> good
> >> excuse.
> >> > >> Until I get this problem resolved, I could trickle charge the
> battery
> >> > >> overnight to maintain it's good status.
> >> > >>
> >> > >> I guess I should also simply double check all my ground straps,
> >> although,
> >> > >> I have to admit I really don't know what that means. I guess I will
> >> remove
> >> > >> them, clean them and replace?
> >> > >>
> >> > >> Thanks for all the support and if anybody ever gets stranded near
> >> Hickory,
> >> > >> NC and I mean anybody...even those who have not posted on my issue,
> >> please
> >> > >> don't hesitate to contact me. I will help in any way I can.
> >> > >>
> >> > >> Thanks, Bobby.
> >> > >>
> >> > >> On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 4:56 PM, Geo & Kathleen Hahn <
> >> > >> ahwahnee@cybertrails.com> wrote:
> >> > >>
> >> > >>> This is really basic, but just to be sure you're not missing
> >> something --
> >> > >>> did you blip the idle to raise RPMs before you checked the
> voltage?
> >> i.e.
> >> > >>> simply starting the engine and measuring the voltage at idle won't
> >> do it.
> >> > >>>
> >> > >>> Geo
> >> > >>>
> >> > >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bobby Brown" <
> >> bobbybrown1@GMAIL.COM>
> >> > >>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> >> > >>> Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 9:45 AM
> >> > >>> Subject: Alternator not putting out volts 88 GL
> >> > >>>
> >> > >>>
> >> > >>>
> >> > >>>
> >> > >>>> Sorry folks, but my Bentley is with a friend as he rebuilds his
> >> WBXer.
> >> > >>>> New Battery. New Alternator. Both test out good. Bench tested the
> >> > >>>> alternator
> >> > >>>> at the parts store from where it came.
> >> > >>>>
> >> > >>>> But, with everything hooked back up and the vehicle running, the
> >> > >>>> battery/alternator tester says the alternator is not putting out
> >> volts.
> >> > >>>> None.
> >> > >>>>
> >> > >>>>
> >> > >>>
> >> > >>
> >> > >>
> >> > >> --
> >> > >> Bobby Brown
> >> > >>
> >> > >>
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > --
> >> > > Bobby Brown
> >> > >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > Bobby Brown
> >>
> >> ------------------------------
> >> Get your vacation photos on your phone! Click here.<
> http://windowsliveformobile.com/en-us/photos/default.aspx?&OCID=0809TL-HM>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Bobby Brown
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Bobby Brown
>