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Type 4 alternator testing

 
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Jon
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1969 Volkswagen Type 3

PostPosted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 4:12 pm    Post subject: Type 4 alternator testing Reply with quote

I have a type 4 alternator I want to have tested. I'm hesitant to take it to the local Autozone. Is there anything special about testing a bus alt? If so where should I take it? The more local the better.
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Jon
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 3:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

From what I have been able to find on the interweb Autozone should be able to test it. We'll find out tonight.
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Jon
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 9:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I took my alternator to Autozone last night and asked guy working there if they can test it for me. "Sure, no problem, what's it fit?"
Looks it up on his computer, then says "Come on over here. We'll test it." We get to the testing machine, he punches in the info, pushes the enter button and the machine tells him, "Cannot test, must test on car." Arrrrgggg.

Sure, no problem. Rolling Eyes

Mike, you got yours tested. Can you find out how your guy tested it?
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Jon
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm trying to figure out if the alternator in my bus is working. New battery reads 12.25 volts, start bus, reading goes up to 13.22 volts.
Should it not be at least 14 volts? Can an alternator just partially work?

My alternator light on the dash stays on, no flickering.

Ideas?
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Greg



Joined: 12 Aug 2009
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If the light stays on with 13+ volts checked at the battery, I would make sure the other side of the light is getting voltage.

forgive me if I'm answering a question no one asked Embarassed

On one side of the light, voltage comes from the bat with the switch on. On the other side of the light, there is a circuit that goes to the alt. With the alt not putting out anything and the switch on, the light will turn on since the alt is acting as ground. When the alt starts putting out voltage it "pushes back" on the voltage coming from the bat and the light goes out. I think of it sort of like water pressure, if both sides of the water pipe have equal "voltage" no water moves.

I'm finding out that my alt is only partially working. It does the same as yours. Low 13s, when I turn my lights on, it goes to bat voltage. What is your voltage when you turn your lights on?

With the weather, I haven't been able to force myself to remove it yet Rolling Eyes
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Jon
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Greg. I'll measure with lights on and check power on both sides of light.
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Greg



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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 8:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

something I forgot to mention....check that blue wire coming from the alt, make sure it didn't pinched or disconnected.
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Mountain Power House



Joined: 26 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 11:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The battery scan also be bad and cause this.. Or the voltage regulator which on a T4 bus plugs in on the firewall above the #1 cylinder.
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Jon
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 11:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mountain Power House wrote:
The battery scan also be bad and cause this.. Or the voltage regulator which on a T4 bus plugs in on the firewall above the #1 cylinder.


What is the battery scan?
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Mountain Power House



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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CAN
Damn autocorrect!
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Clyde



Joined: 03 Jun 2006
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 2:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think I can special order one of those "battery scan" thingies for you. I'll ask Julie how much it'll cost you..... party0006
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Greg



Joined: 12 Aug 2009
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1969 Volkswagen Beetle

PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 12:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I finally got around to addressing my low voltage issue on the bus. It would read 12.5 with the lights on, always seemed like the battery was almost dead etc. I swapped out the regulator, that helped a little, so I pulled the alt and took it to the guy in Monroe, he said it tested fine and cleaned it up a bit, (no charge, yea!)

So this weekend, I replaced the alt/batt/reg wiring harness and reinstalled the alt. That is a job, nothing difficult but you have to follow each step carefully.

So, went to fire it up and I got 14.2 at the battery with the lights on

(so that's what a fully functioning charging system looks like at night)
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Jon
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 1:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Greg wrote:
I finally got around to addressing my low voltage issue on the bus. It would read 12.5 with the lights on, always seemed like the battery was almost dead etc. I swapped out the regulator, that helped a little, so I pulled the alt and took it to the guy in Monroe, he said it tested fine and cleaned it up a bit, (no charge, yea!)

So this weekend, I replaced the alt/batt/reg wiring harness and reinstalled the alt. That is a job, nothing difficult but you have to follow each step carefully.

So, went to fire it up and I got 14.2 at the battery with the lights on

(so that's what a fully functioning charging system looks like at night)


That's good news Greg! My bus is available next weekend for you to work your magic! Cool
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Greg



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PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll be happy to help. We need to get your bus ready for BAP!
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