[T3] Odd Electrical Gremlin - Voltage Regulator?

[Jim Adney]

On 29 Jan 2012 at 16:55, Robert Bills  wrote:

> Last night, on a cold start after sitting about 3 hours, the gen light
> didn't glow after start as it has been doing the past few weeks, but
> after shutting off the motor after about 20 minutes on the Interstate,
> the gen light came on brightly and stayed on.  It didn't matter
> whether the key was in or out of the ignition,

DON'T LEAVE IT THIS WAY!!!

The VR disconnect contacts have welded together and the VR is shot. 
With the engine off and the contacts welded shut, the battery is 
discharging thru the generator field coils. This can burn them up.

If this every happens to you, you must disconnect the battery ground 
strap as soon as you shut the engine off. If you don't have the tools 
right there, leave the engine running until you're ready to do this, 
then shut the engine off and immediately remove the ground strap.

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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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