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