Mk1 Golf Ignition Light on at 140K - Alternator?

Hello

New here.

I have maintained my daughter's 1982 Mk1 1.5GL Golf for 14 years. I know more about economy carbs and how they work than you could possibly imagine, but as result it finally runs great at 140K miles. It does about 1K per year :-)

I have noted over the last few years the ignition light seems less and less willing to go out when the engine is started.

She finally ended up with a flat battery and the ignition light is on all the time. The fan belt is fine and tight.

Just off to take a look myself and retrieve the battery to charge it back here.

Is this likely to be the alternator, or what else should I check? :dontknow:

Probably just the regulator/brushes. Its easily replaceable (without removing the alternator from the car) and costs about £9.65.

paul_c said

Probably just the regulator/brushes. Its easily replaceable (without removing the alternator from the car) and costs about £9.65.

I have looked everywhere on Google, can't find where to buy them, if indeed its still possoible. G+S don't do them either.?????

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

They're freely available, I bought one online from GSF only last week! Go on their website, enter Mk1 Golf, go to starting & charging then look through the list and scroll down to voltage regulator.

paul_c said

They're freely available, I bought one online from GSF only last week! Go on their website, enter Mk1 Golf, go to starting & charging then look through the list and scroll down to voltage regulator.

Thanks for the steer. Was looking in wrong category, why it just can't be electrical I have no idea?

I actually called GSF before posting and the guy said they didn't have any and didn't stock them any more……..

Will try again with part number now I have it.  

cattman said

paul_c said

They're freely available, I bought one online from GSF only last week! Go on their website, enter Mk1 Golf, go to starting & charging then look through the list and scroll down to voltage regulator.

Thanks for the steer. Was looking in wrong category, why it just can't be electrical I have no idea?

I actually called GSF before posting and the guy said they didn't have any and didn't stock them any more……..

Will try again with part number now I have it.  

Got the new regulator but it didn't fix it. Ammeter says current is actually flowing out of batterys when engione is idling, so althought alternator raises system voltage a bit it can't deliver muc curent, so the smell of hot electrics was probaly the windings.

Now need a s/h alternator, Bosch 45A 0120 489 986…… any suggestions? Tried Crazy Quiff and am awaiting answer, VA offered one new at £89.

You did check the wire and connector 1st didn't you?  :wink: they've been known to corrode from time to time…

It was the alternator, the melting plastic/winding insulation smell is the clue. GSF had one for £71 net exchange so I just did it. Managed to get a refund on the regulator after carefully cleaning it up :-)

Interesting job as it was in a car park at the roadside and I fogot my Haynes. The bottom bracket bolt with its captive welded nut the only accessible fixing visible was a puzzle!

Fortunately I had taken the cam belt cover off before and guessed the bottom bolt had a similar sized Allen Key head to the lower cam belt top cover retaing nut - once I realised the head of the bottom securing bolt was round and the back side of the cam belt housing had to have an access hole in it.

What a fiddle! Thanks Helmut.



quote="Madferret"]You did check the wire and connector 1st didn't you?  :wink: they've been known to corrode from time to time…

     

Hi people,
whats really involved in making my  Golf Mk 1 diesel motor into a turbo diesel ?
need all the info ,plz .
i'm in Adelaide,in AUSTRALIA !
HELP !!!

sooty12321 said

     

Hi people,
whats really involved in making my  Golf Mk 1 diesel motor into a turbo diesel ?
need all the info ,plz .
i'm in Adelaide,in AUSTRALIA !
HELP !!!

What has this got to do with my alternator problem please?

PS The answer is buying a turbo diesel engine from a breakers. Better still a Golf TDI, not dicking with something designed as an integrated unit and invalidating its safety homologation and insurance, I think.

Sorry,i posted my request in the Alternator problem.
i thought i'd selected a new topic.
Profuse apologies,boys.