Bad Alt?

[jdbubb at verizon.net (Dan Bubb)]

Ok, don't want to hijack the thread, but is 12V normally supplied to the exciter wire via the instrument panel? i..e. could you bypass the instrument panel wiring and just apply 12V to the exciter wire to check that the alternator works?
TIA
Dan

From: "Allyn" <amalventano1@tds.net>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 7:22 AM
Subject: RE: Bad Alt?


> Fully charge battery (off the car).
> Connect battery, but with an ammeter in series on the (-) post.
> Observe (assumed) noticeable drain.
> Commence removing possible loads (fuses, alt charging line, etc), until current takes drops to negligible.
> 
> Previous things I've caught on the herd:
> - trunk light interior light switch faulty (a2 jetta)
> - faulty audio amplifier (still on even though 'turn-on' lead low)
> 
> Note - bad supply to the exciter wire would not cause a drop to 4v overnight, as the car is off for that duration (I assume).
> 
> HTH
> Al
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: julie@menloparkrandd.com [mailto:julie@menloparkrandd.com] 
>> Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 6:58 AM
>> To: Org, Scirocco
>> Subject: Bad Alt?
>> 
>> My brandy new battery is being discharged over night by some 
>> thing. Fully charged in the evening, its about 4v in the morning.
>> 
>> I measured the 12v to the exiter with the alt disconnected 
>> and I get 12v. Add the alt and the voltage drops to 
>> millivolts. Battery light lights correctly during this time. 
>> On turn on I get 14+ volts at the blue wire. I am wondering 
>> if the alt has a short.
>> 
>> 1) Bad alt?
>> 2) Bad supply to the blue exiter wire.
>> 
>> Which would be more common.....
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Scirocco-l mailing list
>> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
>> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Scirocco-l mailing list
> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
>