Charging problem...any recommendations?

[David McLaughlin]

Problem #10. After sitting all last summer and winter with out being driven under my ownership and who knows how long under the PO's ownership, the battery was toast. Though I really wanted an Optima, Sears was closer and cheeper. After installing the new battery, the car started and ran well (at least as well as to be expected without a tune up). At the last AutoX, the car would not start, no juice in the battery. I could push start it, but it would not charge the battery. I took off and cleaned both braided ground cables and took it for a ride tonight. An hour later, I stopped the car and attempted to re-fire it. Nothing. no charge at all.

When I turn the key, the altinator light glows like it's supposes to then (when jumped or roll started) the light goes out after the engine fires. While driving , all seems normal, but at idle, the headlights are very dim until I rev the motor (bad idle below 500 rpm, I need to adjust the carbs). WIth the car off, the battery reads 12.3 volts. with lights on the voltage drops to nothing. With the car running I only get 12.6 volts up to 13 with the car at 1500 rpm.

I will buy a battery charger this weekend and order new ground cables and a voltage regulator next week. Should I look at anything else. I really hope it's not the altinator, because I hear that in a six, you need to drop the motor to remove it. When I comes to choosing the ground cables, Performance has an interesting set vinyl covered set for the 924 and a braid/vinyl covered set, will either of these be ok since Pelican says NLA.

Looking for opinions, ideas, and suggestions.

Thanks all,


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Dave
1970 914/6
1995 Golf GTI-VR6
1996 Passat TDI
djm914-6@mediaone.net

[TimW]

Did you check the ground strap at the tranny too?

Tim
'73 914 2.0L

[JP Noonan]

Check the voltage reg connections on the relay board and the ground point under the relay board.

Also check the very complete tech article on charging systems on this web site

[David McLaughlin]

Checked and cleaned (ground to fresh metal) both negative ground and tranny ground. I didn't realize there was another ground under the relay board. I will check that and get some contact cleaner for the VR. I also read the PP Tech Article, but most of it wasn't too clear for a first timer like me. I will read again of course (at the car this time so I can refer to actual objects). Anything else y'all can come up with?


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Dave
1970 914/6
1995 Golf GTI-VR6
1996 Passat TDI
djm914-6@mediaone.net

[John Rogers]

About once a year I open the voltage regulator and clean the internal contacts with a points file and flush with contact cleaner. This prevents them from sticking. You might want to check the batt positive cable, if it is old and stiff and the conections are poor a replacement is in order. I use a 3 guage exide cable and put my own ends on. Good luck.

[josh912]

Another idea: You battery very well could be toast! If you have an extra battery try it for a while. If it continues to work use it or get your other battery replaced. Reason I say this is that I've had problems with batteries on the 912 where they go dead and I can charge them all I want but they continue to go dead. The solution: replace that battery. But if you don't have a spare definately check the regulator and grounds, grounds, and more grounds.

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Joshua Harrison
1968 912 Coupe