Charging system working, still low power
 

This is problem #2, figure I would keep them seperate. I have had the
charging sysmtem check over and over again, and they tell me its fine. I
have even tested it myself, Im getting 14.5 volts from the alt, and the
battery with it charging. Without it running, the battery reads 12.5
volts.

Now the problem is, is that the lights are still dim, and the heater motor
is still blowing lower then it should. Now once and awhile, just out of the
blue, doesn't matter what the car is doing, it will flick to what it should
be then go back to what it was.

What would cause this?

I have replaced the Alt and the starter so far both with bran new parts.

Re: Charging system working, still low power
 

"Now the problem is, is that the lights are still dim, and the heater
motor
is still blowing lower then it should. Now once and awhile, just out of
the
blue, doesn't matter what the car is doing, it will flick to what it
should
be then go back to what it was.

What would cause this?"

If the lights are dim then I would start there. Pull a headlamp and
verify the voltage is LOWER than it should be. Then work your way back.
Go back from there to the headlight switch, fuse panel, ignition
switch, etc. and find out where the voltage is dropping off.

One thing you could try immediately would be to remove the fuses and
clean up the brass contacts. My 67 bug used to lose a headlight every
so often, I'd start twisting fuses and it would come right back. Once I
cleaned up the contacts all was well. I would also check the main
supply to the fuse block, I don't know which VW you have so you'll have
to consult your manual to find out where this circuit runs.

Chris

Re: Charging system working, still low power
 

tracker13 wrote:
> This is problem #2, figure I would keep them seperate. I have had the
> charging sysmtem check over and over again, and they tell me its fine. I
> have even tested it myself, Im getting 14.5 volts from the alt, and the
> battery with it charging. Without it running, the battery reads 12.5
> volts.

That's actually a bit low for a car battery. It should read 13.2 volts
if the battery is fully charged and in good shape. If it's three years
old or more, it's probably dying.
>
> Now the problem is, is that the lights are still dim, and the heater motor
> is still blowing lower then it should. Now once and awhile, just out of the
> blue, doesn't matter what the car is doing, it will flick to what it should
> be then go back to what it was.
>
> What would cause this?

A dying battery can cause this. Also bad grounds. Check the engine and
chassis grounds.

Re: Charging system working, still low power
 

You won't get 13.2 out of the battery. New batteries don't test to this
voltage. I'd expect a maximum of 12.8. Check for a poor connection in
the main fuse box. This could be causing the fuse to blow and the
symptoms you mention here.

Re: Charging system working, still low power
 

hyundaitech wrote:
> You won't get 13.2 out of the battery. New batteries don't test to this
> voltage. I'd expect a maximum of 12.8. Check for a poor connection in
> the main fuse box. This could be causing the fuse to blow and the
> symptoms you mention here.

You're right. I just measured the battery in my Elantra and it's at
12.5V. I've seen higher on other batteries, but it may have been with
them out of the car.

Re: Charging system working, still low power
 

Brian Nystrom wrote:

> hyundaitech wrote:
>
>> You won't get 13.2 out of the battery. New batteries don't test to this
>> voltage. I'd expect a maximum of 12.8. Check for a poor connection in
>> the main fuse box. This could be causing the fuse to blow and the
>> symptoms you mention here.
>
>
> You're right. I just measured the battery in my Elantra and it's at
> 12.5V. I've seen higher on other batteries, but it may have been with
> them out of the car.

Excellent site for all battery-related questions:

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/


Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/