Automatic light switch, experiences and opinions

Hello!

I'd like to share what I've been up to this week:

My personal construction vehicle.
VW T4.
A 2001 model with a 2.5 TDI ACV engine is a good, reliable car. Even with 299,000 km.

"I've been having some concerns about the alternator lately."
Last week, she completely refused to do her work.
It's not the original Lima; there was an AT-Lima installed before my time.
And 10 years ago, I already replaced the regulator once.
Meanwhile, at least one more power diode has failed.

So, I thought, I'm not going to mess with this anymore, I'll just install a completely new alternator.

The problem was that the engine was rattling and sputtering when idling.
and there were significant vibrations on the ribbed V-belt.

Called my trusted parts wholesaler.
He quickly found the Lima for me.

"Then I said that my alternator doesn't have a freewheel mechanism in the pulley."
I'm not sure if this is correct because it doesn't seem to be the original.

Then I said, "Hey, see if you can find one with a free-running feature."
because I'm experiencing such significant vibrations in the belt drive.

An hour later, he called me.
Yes, the car has an alternator with a freewheel.
However, the pulley is a bit smaller.

I had it delivered, and they also sent me a slightly shorter strap as a precaution, but I didn't need it.

So, it was quite a risk.
I've measured the clearances and distances to the pulley.
That fit perfectly.

The belt tensioner has a long travel distance.
He managed to handle the slightly smaller pulley without any problems.

Installed, everything fits and works.
The belt does not slip under electrical load. Under load and at idle.
It should work, then.

And the rattling and clattering when idling.
and the vibrations in the belt drive are also gone.

Okay, so I'm saying that, depending on the vehicle, an alternator clutch can sometimes be a really great thing...

Interesting topic!

I also thought that a Lima freehub would be a good addition for my ACV, so I bought one. I didn't install it myself because I didn't want to introduce another potential point of failure. After all, for example, Audi A2s often experience problems with the freewheel mechanism after around 250,000 kilometers.
Since I already have it, and I plan to have the Bosch alternator rebuilt at 600,000 km, I will install it now.
I also hope to eliminate the idling rattle, which occurs in pulses, as well as the erratic fuel injection timing.

Hi!

I don't drive that much.
But everything is fine with me so far.
I am satisfied. The annoying rattling noise when idling is gone, and the vibrations in the belt drive are much less noticeable.

And here's a weak point:
Not really.
As far as I know, from my experience with the older A6 models,
Will free-roaming games ever become stable?

That's similar to how a rigid Lima pulley works.

That sounds great.
I will be installing it during the Bosch revision.
Just imagine, with 600,000 km on the odometer, it's the first alternator and only the second voltage regulator. At that point, my Allroad already had its 4 Valeo headlights.

Unfortunately, with the A2 model, the "law of the diminishing returns" holds true: after a certain point, further improvements yield diminishing benefits.