Still learning so need help please. I think i have an alternator with built in regulator since there is only one thin wire with a spade on it coming out of the body and there is one brass nut as the other connection point. I understand the dash light serves as an initial exciter (err..) to start the charge, except in this case the light is on all the time. But i do not get the flat battery. I have a voltmeter and will try to do check on the battery terminals. I understand it should read cca. 14V which means it's charging. Will try to do it tonite. In the meantime i am just hoping to get some feedback if my thinking is correct on this subject.
Thanks.

Have a look at this http://www.356electrics.com/faq.htm.  Its not vw but 356 which is close enough. They have plenty of info and tests you can carryout to sort out the problem. Good luck
Raf

Tom,

Have a look around this great site of "Speedy Jims"
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

It reads..."Page can't be found"....

Ooops, i meant for 356electrics one...

Had a look at that one Old Dubber, that is where i've learned most about it. Hope will do some checks tonite from that web site...