I've had this happen twice, in both cases it was because the brushes were worn.

On Monday, April 1, 2013 at 14:56 , Richard Koerner wrote:

> How many miles on alternator?  Could be the brushes are worn and not really making solid contact anymore.  I changed mine (preventative, was working just fine) at about 180K and brushes were worn about 80%.  Just an idea.  Not saying for sure this is the problem.
>
> Other people suggest replacing whole alternator as bearings are worn too.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
>
> > Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:34:30 -0700
> > From: rcj.yes@GMAIL.COM (mailto:rcj.yes@GMAIL.COM)
> > Subject: charging light flickers
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM (mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM)
> >
> > I have a 91 Weekender. In the past few years, it has not been driven much and even less during Winter. Lately, the charging LED on the dash flickers. At > 40 mph it will go out, but comes back on. Last night near the end of a short drive, the headlights dimmed and the car lost power and died. Pushed it to the curb and came back this AM to evaluate. It started up okay and I was able to drive home- yay! LED still flickering so I do not want to drive anywhere I could get really stuck.
> >
> > I checked battery voltage - it is just hair under 12V (11.95). Is this low enough to implicate a battery change? Or, should I be concerned about the alternator? How does one test alternator function at home?
> >
> > Any suggestions welcome.
> >
> > thank you -
> > Ron Johnson
> > Portland, OR
> >
> > 91 Weekender - Betsy
>
>
>