Alternator light staying on

Wag67 Wolfsburg Wizard

469 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 15 Feb 2006, 5:47 pm

#456505

i have a problem with my Baja. i have just put in a new dash and after playing around with wires and new guages the alternator light is staying on and after a couple of hours driving the battery is dead. checking the voltage i am getting 12.5 volts at one of the alternator terminals red thick wire but at the other terminal which is a green wire it gets maybe 1 volt. is this right or is my alternator stuffed or is there another dodgy wire. when i test the battery it is also reading 12.5ish volts If there is any auto elects or just someone that knows wiring i would love to know your opinion is there any other tests i can do to test the alternator

for a hands free Baby bottle holder check out

http://www.babygear4u.com

Old Dubber Wolfsburg Wizard

605 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Feb 2006, 6:02 pm

#456507

checking the voltage i am getting 12.5 volts at one of the alternator terminals red thick wire

Is this with the engine stopped?

the other terminal which is a green wire it gets maybe 1 volt.

Is this with the ignition on?

Does the light come on when you first turn ignition on?

Grahame
visit my club site at www.vwdcqinc.org.au

Wag67 Wolfsburg Wizard

469 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 15 Feb 2006, 6:23 pm

#456510

checking the voltage i am getting 12.5 volts at one of the alternator terminals red thick wire

Is this with the engine stopped?
Yes when the engine is off but ignition on i get 12.4v

the other terminal which is a green wire it gets maybe 1 volt.

Is this with the ignition on? yes when ignition is on but engine off i get 1.5v

when engine is running i get same volts but if i turn lights on it drops .2v

Does the light come on when you first turn ignition on? yes light comes on

for a hands free Baby bottle holder check out

http://www.babygear4u.com

bond Veteran Volks Folk

2,456 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 15 Feb 2006, 10:30 pm

#456616

check all your fuses are good aswell.....

had a similar problem last week - fkd around alot untill realised it was a stuffed fuse - i lost like my fuel guage and indicators aswell as the alternator light staying on if this helps

goodluck

nick

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 16 Feb 2006, 1:19 pm

#456761

The alternator big red wire should read 12-ish with the engine switched off (12.5 is OK) and it should read between 13.5 - 14 when the engine is running. Your alternator is therefore not charging! Replace the bushes and/or regulator. There are no fuses between the alternator and battery so it's not that.

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper