Alright... Alternator case to body gives me 0.1 v

The ground from the trans to the body is in great shape, I did
disconnect the ends, wire brushed them and reattached them. I suspect
it was replaced when the trans was rebuilt before I bought it.

One of my LONG time VW beliefs (about all VWs) is you can't have too
many grounds. If it's electrical and it has a problem, add a ground is
one of those lessons I forgot.

I'm going to get a ground wire for the alt case to the body (is the
frame better?) just because you (Dennis) suggested it and I another
ground will not hurt.

Rob
vwrobb@gmail.com

On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 5:08 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Measure from the alternator case to the chassis. If you can measure voltage there you have a drop on the ground cable. It does happen where the factory transmission ground cable looks good but has a high enough resistance to cause a significant drop when substantial current flow is needed. Add a number 4 ground from close to the alternator to the chassis.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Rob
> Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 7:36 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Bad battery cable? 90 tintop
>
> Hello Vanagon land!
>
> I'm looking for a reason NOT to change the battery cable.
>
> 1990 Vanagon with a 91 Subaru 2.2 in it when I bought it.
>
> Battery charging problems.. The alternator is putting out 13-14v with the engine running, the battery is showing 12. whatever and it falls slowly as the engine runs. I put the meter on the battery cable at the  batt cable/alternator junction at the starter, 13-14v.
>
> My thinking is 14 volts at the alternator, 14 volts at the starter, then 12v and dropping at the battery... there is there is something wrong with the cable.
>
> I can use some back up on this, I've been missing things.
>
> Rob
> vwrobb@gmail.com