Will add this while remembering....hint for easy brush replacement:� I compressed brushes and tied back with some sewing thread.� Then it's easy to drop them in place.� Cut thread after install and remove with tweezers.� 

Other hint from List member:� stubby right angle Philips screwdriver (the kind that's about 4 inches long with right angle Philips on one end and right angle Straight slot on other) for easy access to mounting screws.

Rich
San Diego

--- On Mon, 4/1/13, Thomas Wilsher <tw67syncro@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

From: Thomas Wilsher <tw67syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: charging light flickers
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Monday, April 1, 2013, 3:03 PM

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
>
>
>