Itinerant Air-Cooled

I've ordered a voltage regulator from Ken up at the Bus Co. (I could only afford a used/tested one). How easy is it to install? My Bentley/Haynes/Idiots etc. are packed in a box, and it appears that I just unbolt and plug in the new one after brightening the contacts - is it that simple? I'm feeling overwhelmed with life and need a mental hand holding here.

Yes, it is that simple.

Cheers, Tim

Oh good, I need something easy and "simple to correct" happen in my life - I need to drive my bus and get back to being happy. I've had a number of people knock on the door lately asking to buy her (I certainly could use the money), but she's therapy, so as of now, she stays in the family.

Do not get discouraged. Do not sell your bus. Do keep it, for it can teach you much about patience, understanding, adversity and yes, love.

I've owned her since 1981 - I'm fairly invested all the way around.

Wow! I guess so. That's quite a lengthy relationship. Did you get it going, or still awaiting the part? Good luck, and let us know, please.

The voltage regulator arrived yesterday (thanks to Ken at The Bus Co.) - will try to implant today and see what happens.

Installed voltage regulator, took her to Les Schwab to hook up to their little magic tester box to check and they said I need a new alternator...

Our cousin who installed my Pertronix said it had tested fine a month ago - this is frustrating.

Start over at the beginning. What lead you to going out and buying a new VR?

The AAA battery guy who came out to check my stranded bus before they sent a wrecker to take her home. She'd been having charging issues for a long time but never really addressed - just beached in the garage until I could finally get her on the road again. I knew it needed a new distributor, so went with a Pertronix that was installed by my husband's cousin, an car guy who has restored some pretty gorgeous old cars and has had a Bug or two in the past. He had run diagnostics and said the alternator was fine but my battery was quite aged, so we put in a new one. Went running errands for a day and headed down to the (wrong one as it turned out) Lucky Lab to meet up with local IAC'ers. Went back to the bus and it wouldn't start, no click, no starter motor whirring, nothing. Called AAA and they sent a battery guy first. He ran a bunch of tests and said the VR was shot, and said that he'd be able to get me started but it would die on me in a few blocks and recommended a flat bed to take her home. Running on that information I bought a used VR and installed it today and went to Les Schwab as I don't have the little meter deals to check. The young man who did the tests said that it was the alternator - so I suppose it goes to Trafton's to get a remanned Bosch?

Despite having owned this car forever, I really don't know an engine or the electricals inside and out.

So we've pinpointed the charging issues on Emily to a pinched wire at the back of the alternator, which, over time has done this:

to the wiring from the alternator to the starter and the voltage regulator - so many hours of fishing new wiring through tight spaces, a new alternator and VR, she is running smoothly (and doesn't have a burnt smell anymore, what a concept) and happily, can finally use headlights and maybe even the radio.

Next up CV joints/boots.

Emily's Owner wrote:So we've pinpointed the charging issues on Emily to a pinched wire at the back of the alternator, which, over time has done this:

to the wiring from the alternator to the starter and the voltage regulator - so many hours of fishing new wiring through tight spaces, a new alternator and VR, she is running smoothly (and doesn't have a burnt smell anymore, what a concept) and happily, can finally use headlights and maybe even the radio.

Next up CV joints/boots.

Congrats! It feels SSOO good troubleshooting and then fixing the problem!