Help Dead van on my bike n its raining! Battery, starter/alt

Post by **vdubstar** » 02 Sep 2008, 12:23

I have a 1981 T25 Aircooled hightop, renued battery about 2 months ago as went out and she wouldnt turn flat as anything. New battery started better than ever all ok, few weeks ago she was dead again, bumped her (live at top of hill! usful!) all ok run her fine, backfireing new Ht lead all ok, but everyday for last week having to bump her more n more n last nite would go at all down hill nothing pushed her (very heavy i discovered! LOL) then down another hill just about fired got home, this morning nothing, normally i get a turn n she trys to start but doesn't fire up but now just a little wherl, battery is flat, now its my 2nd battery in 3 months so its not that can't be? me feel its alternator?

Or someone questioned started as when charged it would kick in? However why is it loosing charge? stero is of lesuire batery n that isn't being charged prolpy both are low, i've now cut of hte split charge to try n get all charge to main batery but nope,

If it is the alternator is it easy to replce? any tips? as a student n half way thru restoration money needs to be watched! WOuld you get new or 2nd hand are they recon i ain't got clue been trying to read my haynes all morning rather than my socail care degree books! LOL ANy help be gladely recived live in stoke-on-trent area! (meanwhile going to try n source a battery charger n charge main battery...TRY its peeing it down wiht rain n i'm reduced to my bike! LOL

Post by **ermie571** » 02 Sep 2008, 12:42

sort of solution....

charge battery indoors. Make sure it starts van. Disconnect earth lead when parked up. See if it starts van when reconnected next morning. If battery not holding charge, it won't start again.

If battery ok, you have to find your drain.....but at least you know that it will start!

I tend to leave the negative disconnected if left standing a while as both vehicles have a sterio with a flashing red LED.

Em#
x

Post by **vdubstar** » 02 Sep 2008, 12:49

Mine has a stereo and it also has a imboliser with flashing led too! will try that just sourcing a battery charger as too tight to go halfords n spend £40! LOL Thanks, i do start it everyday tho thats the thing, at least may be able to get to work rest of week tho!

ta kim with a K lol

Post by **ermie571** » 02 Sep 2008, 13:48

Kim -

MAKE SURE THAT DISCONNECTING BATTERY WON'T UPSET THE IMMOBILISER.....DON'T WANT YOU TO REMAIN IMMOBILISED!

Em
x

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 02 Sep 2008, 16:42

Just a thought and mentioned a few times in other threads, wiring the stereo correctly is crucial. I had this symptom for months and months and it was down to that. Even though stereo was switched off, the amp had a constant supply and batt would be flat as a pancake after a day or two. If you can switch your stereo on with ignition off, chances are thats what it is.

Otherwise check alternator. The 90amp golf alternator fits by the way - you just swap pulleys from the shaft..

Post by **vdubstar** » 05 Sep 2008, 19:40

Thanks going to get my stero looked at coz its always live so can listen to it while were away with out having ignition on! May need to get that re wired! turns out alternator check when van running is charding at above 14 volts so all good there but thanks for golf alt idea will keep that very close in mind x