OXS and Battery light On/Flicker...

[sheez73]

Hi,

I have 1984 Vanagon GL. I'm looking for some advice on the OXS light. On the 1st of October my OXS light and battery light began to flicker, come on steady, then go off. Sometimes it would stay on for a little while than go out again. The van just turned over 90,000 miles. I checked around and found that the OXS has a counter connected to it. Every 30,000 miles the light will come on indicating to check the cat/exhaust or whatever. My OXS and battery light came on during my move from one apartment to another. Not knowing what the problem was I thought I found a loose wire connection on the alternator, tightend up the connection, since then lights stayed off (i guess by chance). As of a couple days ago the lights came on again. I went to take the van to work today and it would not turn over, acting like the battery was drained.

My van has a new 2.3L motor and it doens't have fuel injection, it uses dual carbs. So I don't have the OXS connected to anythinig. Since the battery light comes on at the same time as the OXS light I guess there must be a short? Maybe the counter could be draining the battery when it reaches 30,000? I will reset the counter tonight and charge the battery.

Any suggestions/comments or ideas would be helpfull.

Thanks

Sheez73

[mightyart]

Both those lights come on when your alternator isn't putting out enough juice.
Check the wire you fixed (was it a blue wire?) again.
Your alternator is either going or you have a loose wire somewhere.
You have a battery charging problem, has nothing to do with the OXS

[sheez73]

Hi,

Yes it was the blue wire on the Alternator. Originally the Female clip was not tight on the male tab (sounds dirty).

I will look into it tonight, thanks for your help.

[jkeller]

Is your alternator new too?

"What? That light? It just flickers on and off, must be a loose connection." Sound familar?

It turns out the brushes on the voltage regulator were worn down to the plastic casing. On my van, the voltage regulator can be replaced without removing the alternator.

I think the Bentley has a pretty good section on testing the charging system if you have a multimeter.
_________________
1985 Weekender, Auto Trans.

[winkshog]

the battery light came on mine this morning on the way to work. Though it was the belt stop get out and check belt good, little blue wire looks good. drove the rest of the way to work 8 mile no problems. go for lunch 4-5 miles still no problem. I have a battery charger and have it hooked up right now. Just in case. What would cause the battery light to come on? If it was the battery and oxs light then it would be the alternator right?

Could this be a grounding problem? I have all new grounding straps.

what should i be checking?

sean
_________________
85 Westy
85 7 pass w/AC 2.2_Subaru
Facebook for Operation Injured Soldiers For those how gave when they servered
Loghome for sale For those that want to get away from it all....

[McVanagon]

Sean,

The mounting screws for the volt regulator like to back out a little bit sometimes. I always pray for repairs like this.
_________________
'69 Mike
'85 GL
'87 Wolfsburg Hardtop

[winkshog]

Where is the volt regulator at I am still learning where ever thing is at in the thing.

thanks

sean
_________________
85 Westy
85 7 pass w/AC 2.2_Subaru
Facebook for Operation Injured Soldiers For those how gave when they servered
Loghome for sale For those that want to get away from it all....

[bucko]

The voltage regulator is within the alternator. Yes, it can be removed/replaced without removing the alternator, but to be safe, I'd disconnect the battery, remove the alternator, and take it to an auto parts store. They can "bench test" it for you. This way you will know if the alternator is bad, or if it's the voltage regulator that is at fault. Check for any loose or frayed wiring attached to the alternator too. Install new connectors/eyelets that are questionable.

I would also suggest getting a Bentley manual. Best way to learn about rour Vanagon. Christmas time is upon us. The Bentley would make you a nice gift.
_________________
Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia

Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181

[winkshog]

thanks for the info bucko.. I know I know its time to get the big green book.
_________________
85 Westy
85 7 pass w/AC 2.2_Subaru
Facebook for Operation Injured Soldiers For those how gave when they servered
Loghome for sale For those that want to get away from it all....

[McVanagon]

[winkshog]

well i feel like an a$$. on the drive i stopped back auto place. alt was putting out 12-13 light was on strong. had no time to take out i have a back up alt at home will bring in the other one to be tested.

well on the way home the light started to flicker and then went out. ever time the rpm went up light went out. So I will get a new belt and as dogpilot said in some other post about the same thing. sand and tighten up new belt.

thanks once more for all the help.... if you are ever in west side of Michigan beer and burgers are on me..

sean
_________________
85 Westy
85 7 pass w/AC 2.2_Subaru
Facebook for Operation Injured Soldiers For those how gave when they servered
Loghome for sale For those that want to get away from it all....

[tencentlife]

Good stuff.

I liked this:

[skaaudivw]

had the same problem with my 85 and was the volt regulator on back of the alt. of course tighten and clean connections first to rule out.