Charging system issues?

Asked by mridaho8 Aug 07, 2012 at 12:29 AM about the 1976 Volkswagen Beetle

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 1976 Baja that I just replaced the alternator on and I'm still not getting a good charge. It dies
when I pull the positive line off the battery. There is a good reading on the alternator its self and the
batter is charged. Could there be something wrong with the charging system somewhere? If so what do
you think it would be?
Thanks for your help!

3 Answers

8,095

Get the battery tested...free at most auto parts stores. Sounds like it may be shorted internally. Hopefully you didn't put tap water in it.

135

Also, double check the connections are clean and very tight, and check the ground wire's integrity. Often times a bad ground will cause a lot of heat/resistance.

3,195

Do you have the generator light in the speedo hooked up? If this light is NOT hooked up and working, your alternator will NOT charge.

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