Subject: Re: a1 charging problems From: Nathan J Nagel Date: 3/21/99 6:27 PM Central Standard Time Message-id: Excerpts from netnews.rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled: 21-Mar-99 a1 charging problems by "Thomas Battles"@worldne > > I have an 83 gti=the battery is dead=it is and older battery but I jumped it > and took a look at the voltmeter which read 11 volts. I know it needs to > charge a lot more then that. Has anyone had this problem? I think it may be > the altenator but someone else may have something easier to try then replace > this. let me know. If you can find it try just replacing the regulator and brushes (all one assembly - becoming harder to find though - last time I ran into this I eneded up selling the car because I couldn't find the parts, everyone wanted to sell me a new alt., the bolt that holds it in was stripped, car wasn't worth an all day repair job) on the alternator, that cures 75% of all VW charging problems . Have your battery tested to make sure it won't kill your new parts. Check the harness coming off the alternator, this can corrode, aftermarket HD replacements are available. good luck, nate Subject: Re: a1 charging problems From: darrahg@aol.com (DARRAHG) Date: 3/21/99 8:09 PM Central Standard Time Message-id: <19990321210901.21792.00000251@ng-ce1.aol.com> Replace ALL your ground cables if you haven't already. They can look good but go bad from corrosion. Make sure you have them going from the battery (-) to chassis; from chassis to transmission; from transmission to engine block; and from engine block to the alternator. Then start your trouble shooting if still needed. ******************************************************************************** Subject: 84 GTI Alternator Trouble From: Armadillo rmadillo@postoffice.ptd.net Date: Sat, 28 August 1999 01:35 AM EDT Message-id: <37C78330.4ADA3CE2@postoffice.ptd.net> Howdy Folks, I am a new VW owner having just bought an 84 GTI. The alternator has quit working. The car was fine for the first few days then, all of a sudden, I was running off the battery only. I checked the belt, which was loose, so I tightened it, but that did not fix the problem. In fact, it seemed to make it worse. Previously, the alternator seemed to be working intermittently. Now that I have tightened the belt, it doesn't seem to work at all. There is a small red wire with a white plastic plug on the end which is not connected to anything BUT it's wrapped together with the black plug that IS connected to the alternator. I was able to see a small rectangular hole which was approximately the same size as the plug on the end of the red wire. This rectangular hole is labeled with a "W". I tried to push the red wire's plug into the hole but it doesn't feel like it's actually making contact with anything. Is this red wire supposed to be connected to the alternator? I also noticed the alternator is sitting crooked. It does not have a mounting rod running through the pivot point like all alternators do. It's just kind of sitting there. The only thing holding it steady is the adjustable arm. This is wrong, right? Any information on the alternator would be appreciated. I have looked on the internet and so far have come up with nothing. I need to try and fix this problem ASAP! Thanks! Jason Armadillo rmadillo@ptd.netSubject: Re: 84 GTI Alternator Trouble From: T Berk tberk@mindspring.com Date: Sat, 28 August 1999 02:30 AM EDT Message-id: <37C781EC.3344ABC9@mindspring.com> Armadillo wrote: > > Howdy Folks, > > I am a new VW owner having just bought an 84 GTI. The alternator has > quit working. The car was fine for the first few days then, all of a > sudden, I was running off the battery only. I checked the belt, which > was loose, so I tightened it, but that did not fix the problem. Over tightening the belt will wreck the Alt bearing, so watch out. > > There is a small red wire with a white plastic plug on the end which is > not connected to anything BUT it's wrapped together with the black plug > that IS connected to the alternator. Is this red wire > supposed to be connected to the alternator? There should be three wire connected to the ALt- Two are the 12V+ out put and one is a smaller 'executor' (as in exiting) wire. If you don't have the third wire working then the Alt won't create a magnetic field and won't produce electricity from the mechanical motion. The 12 volters are B+. The other connection is a D+. The wire should be Blue. THe W is not connected to anything on the outside. > > I also noticed the alternator is sitting crooked. The only thing holding it steady is > the adjustable arm. This is wrong, right? You already know it ain't right. Get a new bolt in there dude. It might not be a bad Alt after all. > Any information on the alternator would be appreciated. I have looked > on the internet and so far have come up with nothing. I need to try and > fix this problem ASAP! > > Thanks! > Jason Armadillo > rmadillo@ptd.net hth, TBerk ('84 engine in my '81 Scirocco.) Jason Armadillo wrote: >I am a new VW owner having just bought an 84 GTI. The alternator has >quit working. The car was fine for the first few days then, all of a >sudden, I was running off the battery only. I checked the belt, which >was loose, so I tightened it, but that did not fix the problem. In >fact, it seemed to make it worse. Previously, the alternator seemed to >be working intermittently. Now that I have tightened the belt, it >doesn't seem to work at all. T. Berk pretty much covered the bases in his reply. That blue wire is commonly known as the "exciter" wire, though (never heard it called the executor before!) You also could have short brushes compounding the problem. First, remove your battery negative clamp. Then remove the voltage regulator and brush holder from your alternator,and measure your brush length. If they are less than 7/32 out of the holder- they should be replaced. You can get new brushes for under $6. You will also want to vacuum out as much of the carbon dust that will be built up around your alternator's slip rings. If the prior owner didn't care to put the bottom alternator bolt back in, Lord knows what else he may have omitted. Make sure that the wire jumper from the Alternator case to block is present and in good condition. Hope you enjoy your "new" GTI! >>Jason Armadillo wrote: > >>I am a new VW owner having just bought an 84 GTI. The alternator has quit working. The car was fine for the first few days then, all of a sudden, I was running off the battery only. I checked the belt, which was loose, so I tightened it, but that did not fix the problem. In fact, it seemed to make it worse. Previously, the alternator seemed to be working intermittently. Now that I have tightened the belt, it doesn't seem to work at all.>> Dan wrote: >T. Berk pretty much covered the bases in his reply. That blue wire is commonly known as the "exciter" wire, though (never heard it called the executor before!) The executor wire is the red wire that doesn't belong on the alternator. : ^ ). There is also a ground strap, that could have been replaced with a red wire, some people will use whatever they have to repair (or modify) their car. If you ever went to a "Dead show", you know what I mean, c'mon 2x4 luggage racks. : ^ ) > You also could have short brushes compounding the problem. >If the prior owner didn't care to put the bottom alternator bolt back in, It sounds like it's in but the bushing is worn out. If so, replace the bushing, and while you have the alternator out, have it tested, most place will do that for free. You didn't say if you had air conditioning, or not. I have a/c and the pivot or anchor, bolt nut/bushing was all worn out on my '83. It is a threaded bushing that the pivot bolt threads into, 8mm on the one end, rubber around it, and threads through it. Over time and what not, the rubber gets chewed up, it is probably non-existent on yours. The non a/c ones usually don't go bad. Smith Volkswagen was no help, they ordered me one of the washers that go on the top of the adjuster. : ( If you want to order one, tell them to look on the a/c bracket page. I went to Morgans and Joe hooked me up, I also picked up an aluminum Audi jack, per Ed's recommendation. : ^ ) I just replaced my 65A alternator with a 90A from an A2. It will cost you about $120 for a rebuilt, $25-50 for a used one. This will do away with the Mickey Mouse connector and you replace it with one heavy cable going directly to the starter or battery. I'm getting a Passat cable, they are 2 gauge. This is the best way to go, in my opinion. Peter thescirocco@juno.com 1979 Scirocco 16V project car 1983 Caged Rabbit GTI Subject: Re: 84 GTI Alternator Trouble From: dascirocco@aol.com (Peter) Date: Sat, 28 August 1999 01:25 PM EDT Message-id: <19990828132556.05967.00001193@ng-fs1.aol.com> >If you want to order one, tell them to look on the a/c bracket page. Here is the part number; 055 903 147A.