seifert@hammer.UUCP (Snoopy) (11/19/85)
-- Posted for Joe Pokorny -- THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. My '84 Rabbit GTI does exactly the same thing. There is also a reference in the Owner's Manual about setting the idle speed but making sure to rev the engine so that the alternator is charging. The "problem" has to do with the regulator electronics and the pulley size. The alternator must put out a minimum voltage using just the remanent magnetism in the rotor. Once this happens, the circuitry "bootstraps" the alternator (feedingback output voltage into the rotor field coil) and it starts charging. This is no problem unless your in the very bad habit of shifting at 2K revs (the alt kicks in about 3K) instead of reving it up to some useful HP. No mechanic can help---its "built in". This did not occur with my '77 Rabbit but the earlier models had a habit of overcharging (and "cooking" out the water of) batteries. The "fix" may have included this minor annoyance. DON'T LET IT BOTHER YOU!!!!! _ |_| BE A SPORT | | / M \ DRINK MALORT / A \ | L | | O /| JOE POKORNY | R / | | T/ | (ihnp4!)nwuxc!pokorny --------- p.s. Another "benefit" of this sentup is the starter does'nt crank against the alternator, thus improving the starting revs and minimizing wear + tear. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Snoopy