Urgent Charging Q please.

Jan 26, 2004 5 Replies

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Juper Wort 22 years ago

Hello '74 Beetle.Alternator. NO Alt light on at all. The wipers were slow this morning, and the stereo turned off when rear de fogger was on, suggesting I am running on battery only. The two terminals on the alternator are tight, and it has been working brilliantly lateley, considering its dark when i go & return to/from work each day.

Where should I start checking ? To compound the problem, the bonnet seems to want to stay shut, so i cannot even check the bulb. The oil pressure lamp works as it should, so i believe the speedo is earthed.

I had noticed that this lamp was out one day last week, but was back on again soon after, possibly suggesting that we have a duff contact somewhere. I have checked the rats nest under the back seat, and that all looks good, and wiggling this lot doesn't seem to help. Can I hotwire the lamp temporarily so that I can get this home ( at work at the moment) We are expecting a large ( for us) snowfall tonight, so would appeciate this sorted before then..

lots of good thoughts to all who even read this !!

James

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Juper Wort 22 years ago

PS. I already have Speedys wiring diagram, and aim to go out @ lunch with a meter. James

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Olli Lammi 22 years ago

I think the alternator needs the lamp to work in order to "prime" and start charging. Loose wire, burnt bulb, corroded connection - all = possibilities that might be wrong in there. Then ofcourse the alt itself might be bad.

If the light is bad, you could temporarily "fix" it by placing a similar =

bulb in the engine compartment between ground and D+-terminal. An ignition test light maybe? I wouldn't just ground the D+, because I don't know whether it will fry the system or not. If the alt is=20 busted, this will however not help you.

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Juper Wort 22 years ago

I think the alternator needs the lamp to work in order to "prime" and start charging. Loose wire, burnt bulb, corroded connection - all possibilities that might be wrong in there. Then ofcourse the alt itself might be bad.

If the light is bad, you could temporarily "fix" it by placing a similar bulb in the engine compartment between ground and D+-terminal. An ignition test light maybe? I wouldn't just ground the D+, because I don't know whether it will fry the system or not. If the alt is busted, this will however not help you.

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Nxqzablesk8er 22 years ago

Take a meter out, test each prong (bolt) on the alternator for the (about)12 volts, if its good, then go inside, and check the connections at the battery. I find that in my car, things will be slow...lights slightly dim, and low voltage, then i rev the engine up high, and everything kicks in. Its like it needs a boost. No idea why, maybe someone can help me, haha.

~peace~Justin

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