86 Golf Charging Issue

[uzzo2]

Hey guys, happy New year! I had an issue going to work with the golf this morning. The charging light came on numerous times and the headlights dimmed. It would go back out after a couple of seconds, but I'm concerned about it. Right off hand I would say it's the alternator. But I also know that there's something that controls the charging when it's started. It has to reach a certain RPM before the light goes out and the alternator starts charging. What controls that and could that be causing the issue?

[Intharbuddy]

was it raining by chance? water can splash up on the belts and cause them to lose traction causing the alt to slow down and the light to come on. happens to me all the time.

[uzzo2]

was it raining by chance? water can splash up on the belts and cause them to lose traction causing the alt to slow down and the light to come on. happens to me all the time.

Nope, not raining, it's either the alternator on its way out or whatever controls the alternator until it reaches a certain RPM.

[TylerDurden]

If the belts are tight, I'd check the condition of the regulator & brushes.

Also might check the output voltage and ensure all the alt & batt connections are clean and tight.

[uzzo2]

If the belts are tight,

Is there such a thing on these cars? I just put new ones on it, so they're good as far as I know.

[bbob203]

the only thing about these vehicles that really pisses me off is the charging system.

[TylerDurden]

If the belts are tight,

Is there such a thing on these cars? I just put new ones on it, so they're good as far as I know.

Lol, the belts might need a re-tension after seating-in.

IIRC, There are adjustable voltage regulators available that fit Bosch alternators, if the stock regulator has low output.

[uzzo2]

If the belts are tight,

Is there such a thing on these cars? I just put new ones on it, so they're good as far as I know.

Lol, the belts might need a re-tension after seating-in.

IIRC, There are adjustable voltage regulators available that fit Bosch alternators, if the stock regulator has low output.

I read all the way through a thread I think it was you that started about the belts. You made a nice little tensioner and by the time I got to the end I was thinking. Man this is what I want to do with mine cause I'm sick of changing the damn belts every 3 or 4 months. But alas, I think it wound up breaking the belts after a couple hundred miles or so. It's definitely not charging now. When I left work today on the way home it was doing the same thing. The light would come on and flicker for a couple of seconds and then go off. But by the time I got home, it was on steady. I checked it with a meter and sure enough, it wasn't charging. I know the guy I bought it from said he put new brushes in it before I bought it. I've never done it, is it hard to do and where is the best place to get the parts to do it?

[Intharbuddy]

i was dealing with a similar thing a few years back with my first golf. I knew it wasn't the alternator and i would be going through belts every few months. the light would sometimes be full brightness but usually just be dimly lit. I eventually discovered a crack in the alternator bracket. It caused a lot of vibration and due to that the mounting holes and tensioning components had a lot of play. I would tighten the belt and that would work until it vibrated loose again. Found a new bracket and had to shim the pulley too to get it to line up right.
I would tighten the belt and check voltage for starts and while yr tooln around in there look for wear.

[uzzo2]

i was dealing with a similar thing a few years back with my first golf. I knew it wasn't the alternator and i would be going through belts every few months. the light would sometimes be full brightness but usually just be dimly lit. I eventually discovered a crack in the alternator bracket. It caused a lot of vibration and due to that the mounting holes and tensioning components had a lot of play. I would tighten the belt and that would work until it vibrated loose again. Found a new bracket and had to shim the pulley too to get it to line up right.
I would tighten the belt and check voltage for starts and while yr tooln around in there look for wear.

There was definitely some slop in the bottom bracket. But I've got it off and took the regulator/brushes out. One of the 2 brushes had completely fallen out and the spring was just laying in there. So maybe it'll be an easy fix.

[TylerDurden]

The experimental tensioner was great in the summer, sucked balls in the winter.

Regulators are cheap and available. pick you favorite place.

Here is a decent, simple overview on alternator issues: http://www.import-car.com/issue/article ... ntid=38995

[Fatmobile]

I just had the same problem with my Rabbit, with the MK2 alternator setup.

I removed the brushes/regulator and cleaned the contacts.
Especially where it grounded to the housing.

Solved the problem.

[Dakotakid]

You can buy new brushes many places...hint.
You can fairly easily replace the brushes with a soldering iron and some flux/solder. Just make sure you catch the old springs as they are released. Seems as though the springs do not commonly come with the brushes these days.

You probably also need to very lightly dress-up the faces of the slip rings by using your finger and some very fine sand paper. It's a learning experience....get creative....apply common sense.

[Quantum-man]

If you are going to use sandpaper as the Darlek says then remember to use an air filled douche bottle and brush to remove the grit. Actual process of maintenance depends on what model of alternator you have, naturally...

[uzzo2]

If you are going to use sandpaper as the Darlek says then remember to use an air filled douche bottle and brush to remove the grit. Actual process of maintenance depends on what model of alternator you have, naturally...

It's a Bosch 0 120 469 674 711, is what it looks like. I have a regulator on the way, supposed to be here tomorrow. Hopefully that's all that's wrong with it.