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Sun May 03, 2015 6:10 pm

OK--I'm ready to put my '72's engine back in but it has been so long I don't know which wires go where on the alternator! Pictures are great. Thanks!

rbh

Sun May 03, 2015 7:34 pm

Got a photo of your setup? Usually it's easy with an alternator, the original externally regulated ones have a 3-wire plug plus a wire with a bolt-on lug. Internally regulated replacements use one bolt-on wire and one push-on wire.

Sun May 03, 2015 10:27 pm

1972's came with a generator. Does it have a gen or an alternator? If it's got an alternator the old generators voltage regulator under the back seat will be removed and by-passed. Most alternators used today are like the Bosch or the aftermarket like Auto Zone sells.
AutoZone, New Bosch AL82N Alternator, Pretty simple hook-up. The large post on the alternator goes to the large wire that connects to the battery +12 volts probably linked to the battery under the back seat where the voltage regulator was removed or it could be wired to the battery cable at the starter like the Bosch link above shows it (Click Installation and download the instructions.) and the alternator spade connects to the Generator/Alternator light from the speedometer wire. It's usually a small blue wire there in the engine compartment. If your alternator is the old 3 prong Motorola then that's different and it needs an external alternator voltage regulator.

Mon May 04, 2015 2:48 pm

The engine is out of a 1974 bug and I had my mechanic wire it for an alternator with an internal regulator because I wanted to run a stereo and maybe some more extraneous stuff. I have 3 wires at this point but I don't know how to load pictures onto the site. I'll try to work it out but I'll be back!

thanks,

rbh

Mon May 04, 2015 3:04 pm

Photo posting isn't too hard. The how-to link is on the posting page.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6

Anyway, yes since that had a generator originally, those used 3 wires, a thick red/black one for D+, a thin green one for DF and a brown wire for a dedicated ground connection - all going to the voltage regulator under the back seat.

What probably has been done to convert yours to an internally regulated alternator is that under the back seat, on the left side of the car, where the original voltage regulator mounted, is they junctioned the large red/black D+ wire with the large red B+ (battery) wires; and junctioned the green DF wire to the blue Terminal 61 wire for the dash warning light. The brown ground wire can be ignored.

Tue May 05, 2015 10:25 am

Yeah, Those 74's were the Motorola alternators and had a plug on them for a 3 prong connector like the brake master cylinder connectors.
If you have a connector then use it. I installed one of these on my 1971 VW Bus a couple of years ago. Great little alternator. A generic external alternator voltage regulator will work on them. I found one with the same matching wire colors, the Standard brand VR 124 has 3 wires and the VR 126 has 4 wires, they can both be wired to work:
Brown: D- to ground Brown on the external Reg
Red: D+ to Red on the external Reg and to the blue wire to the gen/alt light
Green: DF Green on the external Reg
Like this:

Note the markings on the ceramic connector plug block on the alternator. DF, D+, D- And check out these links on the subject:
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c6922_ds545986
http://www.vw-resource.com/alternator_wiring.html
Ford regulator on VW alternator? It works!!!
I used one with matching colors to the VW Plug: VR 651 or something found mine on e-bay for $15 or so.

And here are some photos of mine:

Fri May 08, 2015 10:17 am

Thanks guys--got it all worked out and running again! This is a great forum for help when none is available! Keep cruisin!