Yay, my battery isn't charging...

[doubt at inwave.com (Nate Mellom)]

Bryan,
I had the same problem on my '81 last year.  I went through 4 
alternators before I finally found the problem.  The blue exciter wire 
(the blue wire that goes from the alternator into the dash to run the 
battery light) was corroded and broken, and if that happens, the 
alternator doesn't 'turn on' and charge the battery.  I ended up getting 
a new white plug connector for the alternator and rewiring both main 
leads and the exciter wire (which runs underneath the battery).  Trace 
all the wires and make sure you get as much rotten stuff out and replaced. 
Nate

Bryan Rankin wrote:

>
> Hey guys...
>
>   First off, it's an 81 rocco, 1.7L with the stock alt(65 amp i 
> think)  I have a 300w amp with a 10 inch sub.  I was driving the other 
> night, with stereo on, not loud, and it was glowing very dimly.  It 
> started raining, on goes the wiper, and of course, it gets a little 
> brighter.  I checked the battery the next morning, and it was 12.3V.  
> Thought it was a little weird, but i ended up going out the next night 
> as well.  This time, the lights would get really bright, the battery 
> light would get brighter, then it would just go back to normal and the 
> battery light would go off.  I checked voltage again, and it was 
> 12.3v.    So today, i installed a voltmeter gauge and it read about 
> 12v, i started the car, still at 12v.   I shut the car off, get out, 
> use the handheld voltmeter. 12.3v again.  Start the car, 12.35-7.
>
> So, i know for sure my battery isn't charging, and i'm almost positive 
> it's my alternator, but i had also heard that the voltage regulators 
> can be faulty as well....
>
> What are my chances of the regulator being dead, and how can i test this?
>
> Thanks...
>
>
> Bryan
> Fort McMurray, AB
> 81 Volkswagen Scirocco
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> MSN Premium helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*  
> http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines 
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Scirocco-l mailing list
> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
>
>