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From: aliv@ur-tut.UUCP (William Simonds)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: VW electrical problem
Message-ID: <212@ur-tut.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Nov-85 11:22:45 EST
Article-I.D.: ur-tut.212
Posted: Mon Nov 11 11:22:45 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 14-Nov-85 08:14:45 EST
References: <525@aero.ARPA> <1419@rayssd.UUCP>
Reply-To: aliv@ur-tut.UUCP (William Simonds)
Distribution: net
Organization: Univ. of Rochester Computing Center
Lines: 13



I have an '80 VW rabbit and the same thing hapened to me.  Upon investigation, 
Ifound it to be normal.  When you start the car, the battery charges the coils
of the alternator and runs the electrical system, thus the battery is being
discharged.  Once the engine is revved, the speed of the alternator spinning
causes it to develop >12 volts.  At this time, this voltage takes over the 
work that the battery was doing and begins to charge the battery.
  As long as the light comes on when you start the car and goes when the engine
gets up to running speed, you are alright. If the speed needed to turn the light
off is greater than normal operating speed, then I would expect either the belt 
is loose, or the brushes are bad (probably the belt).
 I hope this helps.