Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Red light on! Out of nowhere...
Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
181 Gears
Samba Member


Joined: April 10, 2003
Posts: 19
Location: Aiken, SC 29801
181 Gears is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 10:53 am    Post subject: Red light on! Out of nowhere... Reply with quote

Hello all. I remember reading about this problem in my John Muir book.

My 73 has been running strong for the past 2 years (with religious tune-ups of course). Whereas it used to be my main source of transportation (I've had it for over 13 years now) it's now the best-of-the-seasons truck.

The other day my fiance and I were driving in town and after 5 miles of travel I noticed my red (generator) light was on -- along with my battery indicator. Needless to say, we pulled over and I checked it out. Things smelled OK -- looked OK. I know this is a bad alert so I was puzzeled by not having a loss of power or even any sputtering.

Well, I chose to drive it right back home and that's when the aformentioned problems happened. I managed to coast it home hoping I haven't damage the engine. I seem to remember this happening soon after I purchased it -- everything was rebuilt 5 years ago.

Any suggestions on how to identify the problem? Could the generator internals be bad? Are we talking big bucks?

Thanks for the hopeful advice guys. The Samba rocks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
79SuperVert
Samba Member


Joined: May 31, 2002
Posts: 9758
Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
79SuperVert is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 11:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Loose fan belt? Cheapest easiest thing to check first. If it's slipping or too loose the gen will turn slower and won't charge enough (not to mention your cooling fan will put out less air).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Big Jim
Samba Member


Joined: May 27, 2004
Posts: 291
Location: Denver
Big Jim is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If the generator turns out to be bad, I suggest you pitch it and convert to a Bosch internally regulated alternator. Simple conversion and much better charging.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
coad Premium Member
Samba Scapegoat


Joined: September 12, 2002
Posts: 7552

coad is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The do it yourself guys will scream, but take it to a good auto parts store or a mechanic and have them hook it up to a test bench. My Autozone has the tester that checks the battery, the generator and the regulator in about 5 minutes and its a free service. They just wheel it out to the car and hook it up. Beats guessing and/or replacing stuff that doesn't need replacing.

Of course this is only if the belt is good and your fan is still turning to cool the engine . . .

If it is the generator you might just need brushes.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
edgy
Samba Member


Joined: January 22, 2003
Posts: 424
Location: Bel Air, Maryland
edgy is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ground the filed wire while it is running. If the light goes out, you need a regualtor. If the light stays on, you probably need a gernerator. May just need brushes.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Thing/Type 181 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.