Help! Charging problems, 1990 Cabby

[crehner]

Hello,

I have had charging problems in my cabby for the last week or so. I have a new alternator and a new battery, tested and cleaned the wires related to the battery/ alt. The problem still exists, kind of. About 1/3 of the time, the alternator will not charge the battery. 2/3 of the time its okay.
It tends to be trip by trip, one whole drive working, then the next time i start it, it doesn't charge that trip. I'm stumped, and need my car for work. Any input is appreciated!

Thanks,
Christian

[briano1234]

If the alternator isn't charging the battery, did you have the alternator tested before you brought it home?

If the Battery light is going out, after start and the light stays out, what indications are you having?
Have you measured the Voltage on the battery?

Now what with the Grounds and see my signature....
Does your Battery light i the dash ever come on, at key in, start, then goose the gas a wee bit over 1100 rpm...

If the Alternator light goes out after you increase the rpm above 1600, but comes on when it falls below, 1600, then you have a rectifier issue.

[crehner]

Seems to be a problem within the alternator, I put the one from my Syncro Passat in and had no problems. I had checked all the grounds, that's why I was stumped! Sucks that you can't buy a good alternator anymore, that's the third faulty one in a row...

[rabbitnothopper]

so i have heard all the reman alts are junk and youre hit or miss on getting one to last long enough to get a free warranty replacement

[briano1234]

Seems to be a problem within the alternator, I put the one from my Syncro Passat in and had no problems. I had checked all the grounds, that's why I was stumped! Sucks that you can't buy a good alternator anymore, that's the third faulty one in a row...

I got 4 bad ones once before I got a good one, and I learned never leave the store without having the new one tested in front of you.

[crehner]

I had one of them test good, and then it was intermittent. I guess they allow drinking on the job in the re-man factories..