Help! Alternator Issue?

[niXon]

So I recently had my drive belts re tensioned and since than I have been having a couple issues. The car is a 91 1.6L diesel.

The alternator seems to charge the battery when the car is just idling but as soon as I start to drive, I begin to lose battery power (fuel gauge stops working, coolant temp, lights dim etc.) Is this a sign of a failing alternator? or is it possible the belts are too tight or a pulley was over torqued? The battery is brand new and was tested last night and checked out. The other issue I am having is my tach is not working, to my understanding the tach runs off the W terminal on the alternator. When the belts were loose and slipping the tach stopped working which made sense, but now that everything is nice and tight I don't understand why it just sits at 250RPM.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what I could do/check?

[Volkstech01]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Voltage regulator.

[niXon]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Voltage regulator.

Checked it and it seems fine, I re-did the exciter wire and it worked great on the 20min drive to my parents. Tach worked, and the battery seemed to be charging (all electronics stayed on, no loss of gauges, etc.) Stayed there for about an hour and when I got back in the tach wasn't working, and the issue persisted. Left a friends house and the car was completely dead, so it appears the battery wasn't charging from my parents to my friends.

I tested the alternator out at my work and it checked out. I'm at a loss for what to do.

[Kane]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Connections all clean amd tight at Alt. and Battery? Sounds like your Alt. is starting to go on ya.

[VAG_Tech]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Voltage regulator.

Word.

[niXon]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Word.

Been checked out by VWSM and at the time everything was fine. 2 days later, I no longer have a tach and the battery isn't charging again

[VAG_Tech]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Been checked out by VWSM and at the time everything was fine. 2 days later, I no longer have a tach and the battery isn't charging again

Tell me this, does the battery light come on when it doesn't charge? Does the battery light come on when you turn the ignition on? If it doesn't check the blue wire that goes to the alternator for a break or corrosion.

[VWSM]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

you were all wrong bahahahahaha..

[Kordain]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Spread the wealth man!

keeping back information from the curious mind is like starvation torture to an american.

[niXon]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Tell me this, does the battery light come on when it doesn't charge? Does the battery light come on when you turn the ignition on? If it doesn't check the blue wire that goes to the alternator for a break or corrosion.

This was one of the first things I did/fixed, and it didn't resolve the issue.

It's all good now though

[VWSM]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

Spread the wealth man!

keeping back information from the curious mind is like starvation torture to an american.

it was the belt 5mm to long and it charged when it was cold and died when it was hot.
diesels like load.(and original parts)

[niXon]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

it was the belt 5mm to long and it charged when it was cold and died when it was hot.
diesels like load.(and original parts)

Still running good man, thanks again.

I'll have to drop by with some beers!

[Volkstech01]

Re: Help! Alternator Issue?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, thats what I was gonna say next, 8115 boooyaa