Refurbing wiring to Alternator (1984 TD)

avocado · Post by **avocado** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:27 am

Greetings all!

I'm a complete noob to the world of diesels, but I'm up to my elbows in a conversion project, so I'm quickly learning.

One thing I am trying to figure out is in examining the wiring into the back of my alternator, I see that the charging and idiot light (I believe) wires go into a plug that is held in with a spring connector. I assume this plug is removable? I've been pushing and prodding at it, but it wouldn't come out easily and I didn't want to break it... Is there a trick to removal?

The reason I ask is that all the wires are pretty thrashed at the plug (exposed strands, etc.) so I figure now is just as good as any time to clean them up.

Cheers, and thanks for all the great reading in the archives!

(Engine is a 1.6TD out of an 1984 Jetta)

Ira B · Post by **Ira B** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:50 am

Sounds like you have the "W" terminal type plug.

After being in place for a long time they can be pretty stuck. Had to wiggle mine around a bit to remove it but it eventually popped right off.

avocado · Post by **avocado** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:10 am

Excellent. Thanks!

Is the blue wire that comes out with the two charging wires the infamous "W" terminal, or just the connection to the idiot light on the dash?

Ira B · Post by **Ira B** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:20 pm

The blue wire is for the idiot light and the 2 larger spade terminals adjacent to it are positive out. There is another terminal on the back somewhere for the noise suppression condenser.

Post by **Fatmobile** » Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:03 pm

Many alternators with that plug don't have the seperate W terminal.

The plug will pull out,
I haven't had that much trouble pulling one off.