Generator Light Flickering and other problems

[LAfasty]

So i was driving one night to a concert and I noticed at a stop light, while the engine was idling, the generator light came on, and flickered. In addition the car backfired once or twice. I parked the car, and drove it during the day, with the lights off, and the generator light is getting more and more red more and more of the time. I checked the belt to the generator and it is in good shape, less than a half inch of play in it. Do I need to perform a generator overhaul as per the VW repair book, or is there something else I should be looking at?

Also! Can anyone explain what I need in terms of an exhaust kit. I have a 1641 with dual 40s and I want to get a performance exhaust that will maximize performance. Do I need j tubes? Can I buy a complete kit from somewhere, and if so any recommendations?

Thanks!
Alex de Cordoba
http://photo.vvi.at

[Russ Wolfe]

I would get check the charging system. You could have just a loose wire. I could be just a voltage regulator, or it could be all of the above. But there is no sense in replacing an expensive generator, just because there may be a wire loose.
_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

[karenw]

yep, been there, done that (shudder).

Like Russ said: check all connections. Get a multimeter. Take a look at the generator brushes.

Good luck...mine ended up being a bad ground wire. In the process of figuring it out, I changed the brushes, put two VR's on (don't ask), replaced the generator, and finally found the problem. What a nightmare.