Charge It!
Checking out your charging system:
As fall aproaches, it is a good time to check the condition of your charging system.
This is the system that keeps your battery charged so that you can power your electrical
items while driving down the road and also keep your battery up so that when you hop in
and turn the key the van cranks right up and you are off on another adventure.
What to do? First check your voltage at the battery while the van is running.
You do this with a cheap voltage tester or just take the van to your local
Advance Auto/Autozone and they will do this test for you for free. You want to see between
13.5-14 volts. Some early Vanagons require you to give the accelerator a little rev before
the alternator will "come in" and start working so be sure that you do this and your
alternator light is out before you do the test. If you get a low reading that means that
either your battery is dying or your alternator is on the way out or both. With the van not
running test your battery. It should read around 12.5 volts with nothing on and the van not
running. If you have a secondary battery unhook it so that you can test your main one
by itself without the secondary one causing a false good reading. If your voltage is
low then you are probably looking at a battery that is failing and it should be replaced.
Sometimes batteries that are dying will take what is called a "surface" charge where they
will seem like they take a charge and will test good immediately after you stop charging them
but then a few hours later they have lost their charge. If you are having problems
with a battery that doesn't seem to hold a charge you should let it sit over night (unhooked)
and then test it in the morning. That way you can see if it is holding a charge on it's own.
If it isn't then it is bad and need to be replaced. If it is then something is
draining it overnight and you need to test for that.
Many times you will find that a failing battery will kill an alternator or a failing
alternator can kill a battery. Usually it is a good idea to replace both at the same
time unless one or the other is brand new. Although this can be expensive it is
the best way to not only ensure that your charging system is up to snuff but also
ensure that your new battery or alternator will live as long as possible.
Now check your belts. The best way to check your belt for the charging system is to
loosen the alternator and relax the tension on the belt. Now turn it so that you can
see the inside of the belt that rides on the pulley. It should be in good condition, not
shiney or worn down and with no heat cracks between the ribs. If it has any of these it
should be immediately replaced. With the belt loose or off check your alternator bearing for
play. Try to cock the pulley top to bottom or side to side. There should be minimal to no
play in the pulley while you try this test. If you can feel the pulley cocking and you hear
a "clunk, clunk" noise while doing this test then your bearings are going bad and you will
soon need a new alternator even though it may be putting out proper voltage at this moment.
Spin the pulley and listen for any funny noises and be sure it spins freely.
While you are in there do the same pulley cocking test on your water pump pulley.
It too should have minimal play (a small amount is OK but no real looseness). Take a
flashlight and look at the weephole underneath the pulley (straight below it). If it looks like
green crust is around it your water pump is starting to die and should be replaced. If this
locks up it can kill your motor so change it before that happens not afterward.
Also check the condition of your other belts (A/C and power steering) and replace them
if they need it. They can fail and take the alternator/water pump with them so it is
good to be sure they are in good condition as well.
After installing a new alternator belt it is normal for the belt to stretch over time.
You want to tighten it on initial install so that there is less than 1/2 inch of deflection
when you push down on the belt with your finger in between the alternator and water pump.
After about a week, check the belt tightness again and retighten as needed. DO NOT ignore
your van when it makes squealing noises when you first start it up in the morning.
This will lead to a broken belt which can take the dipstick tube and even the oil filler
neck along with it (not to mention allowing the engine to overheat and self destruct).
Here at Van-Again we stock only the best quality Bosch rebuilt alternators and Continental (German)
belts to keep your van happy for many years to come. A cheapy spray-paint "rebuild"
alternator may be OK if you are stuck out in the boon docks on a vacation trip, but
since you are doing these tests you have enough time on your hands to plan ahead for a
quality rebuilt alternator and belts. It will pay off in the long run believe me.
Keeping your charging system in good repair will help you save money in the long run
and also have a safer, happier Vanagon.
If you have any other questions please feel
free to give me a call or email. You can order these parts through our webstore or
just give me a call on the phone. We look forward to helping you!
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
www.vanagain.com
Copyright 2008
John 3:16
