Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site rayssd.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!rayssd!mpc From: mpc@rayssd.UUCP (Manny P. Costa) Newsgroups: net.auto.tech Subject: Re: VW electrical problem Message-ID: <1419@rayssd.UUCP> Date: Wed, 6-Nov-85 13:03:43 EST Article-I.D.: rayssd.1419 Posted: Wed Nov 6 13:03:43 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 8-Nov-85 06:10:23 EST References: <525@aero.ARPA> Sender: readnews@rayssd.UUCP (USENET News Account @ Raytheon Co., Portsmouth RI) Distribution: net Organization: Raytheon Co., Portsmouth RI Lines: 13 > Every time I start my `78 Scirocco, the charging system idiot light > comes on. Once the engine has been revved (to about 2300 RPM), > however, the light turns off and stays off. While the light is on, > my ammeter shows the battery discharging, and when it turns off > the battery charges normally. VW will examine it for $35 an hour > or so, but I'd like to fix the problem myself (if I can find it). > Any ideas out there? This is just a shot in the dark but it worked for me. The fan belt that goes to the alternator was loose. Oh sure it turns the alternator, but it was slipping enough so that it wasn't turning the alternator fast enough to charge the system. Check it out. A fan belt may be the cheapest component of the charging system to replace.