Jim,

Thanks for the photos. Based on your photos, I am suspecting my blue idiot
alternator wire was previously disconnected because it was probably broken.
I am more of the thinking to keep this brick as OEM as possible (that is,
until the Bostig slush fund is ready!) and I would like this to work. So...I
might test or replace this wire to ensure it is working.

Does this blue wire have any function other than indicating a charging
problem? Or does it actually perform a function that "completes" the whole
charging function?

Too bad you're in Wilmington and I am in Hickory. I am still looking for a
Van wrenching buddy here.

Bobby

On Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 8:32 AM, Jim Johnston <inmytree1@gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>>
>
>

-- 
Bobby Brown