Still no alternator function- Getting depressed

[treed2@u.washington.edu (T. Reed)]

Check for continuity between the blue exciter wire and ground. If there is
continuity, that's your problem. Figure out where the wire is grounding
and make sure it never happens again.

When that wire gets grounded you burn out the diodes in the alternator and
its time for an expensive repair.

I know this because while re-installing the alternator once, I put that
little clamp over the +12v and exciter wire and tightened the nut on it
down. Somehow the blue wire got invisibly pinched by the clamp and it cut
through the insulation and grounded the wire. Cost me a "pretty penny" at
an alternator shop to get new diodes pressed in to the case.

I bought a new transpo adjustable regulator for $17 too because I didn't
want to risk using the old one and blowing the diodes again from some
freak accident.

I had the same symptoms as you did until I finally found the problem.

HTH,

-Toby

On Sat, 21 Sep 2002, Ken B wrote:

> So this is the second reman BOSCH alt from BowWow that i have tried.  I get
> about 12V from the batt posts with the engine running or not.  I get about a
> .5 v drop when I hit the flash-to-pass headlights. (bently says this drop
> means prob not a bad v-reg)
>  I have additional ground wires:  4ga from alt adj arm where it bolts to the
> alt all the way to the (-) post, 4ga from back of intake to the coil bracket
> (replacing the stock flat strap)  Stock but reconditioned mount surfaces
> from neg post to body under battery-continuing on to a tranny bolt near the
> green end cap.
> I have a couple feet of leftover 4ga black wire for another "leg" if i get
> strong recomendations
> I have also tried an additional new voltage regulator that I have.
> Bently says you are not supposed to run that alternator when it is not
> attached to the battery so I cant realy test it only.
> The stock harness that has the 4-6 ga red wire and the 1mm blue both have
> continuity but this is the only thing I can think of that has not been
> replaced/upgraded.
> There is a major but simple problem here somewhere.
> The battery is old but it charges up good with my sears trickle charger and
> is then good for dozens of starts while trouble shooting for a week or two.
> So it holds V ok.  I think I ahve allready swapped in the batt from my other
> car with no change but will 2X-check.
> Lastly I am about to crawl under and take off the stock ground strap and
> sand/clean reinstall etc, but with my other ground upgrades this is not
> likely fix.
> Anything?  Anyone?
> Thanks as allways
> Ken
> 1979 Scirocco 16V -  Almost done
> 81 Deisel P/U - Rescued from neglegent PO
> VORTEX:  "Indiana Red"
>