Alternator question., Not Charging. Options

[Olympic 914]

Took the car out for a drive today, planning on going to dinner. everything is working as it should. getting on the PA turnpike and I had to accelerate briskly to get into traffic, and a moment later I noticed that the RED alternator light had come on. Pulled of at a wide spot to check the belt and wires and shut it off. Not checking the belt with it running. Belt good, plug tight, tapped the VR a couple times for good measure and started it back up. Light still on and now my Autometer AFR gauge just had bars. I know that is because it doesn't turn on until the voltage is +13v So not charging.

Now I am on a limited access highway with the next exit `12-15 miles away. Good thing had the battery fully charged on the tender before I left the house. So I made it to the next exit, turned around and headed back home for a total of 35 miles on battery only. Whew. But that shot dinner.....



Replace the VR with another I had that previously tested good. still no charging. checked the plug on the relay plate again. looks good.

I have not yet checked the wire connections at the alternator, possibly a wire vibrated loose during the brisk acceleration.

Now the question

I read to test the VR to short between D+ and DF and if the alternator is good voltage at the battery will go to alternator maximum of about 15-16V

So do I REMOVE the VR for this test? and jump between the D+ and DF at the relay plate.
OR
Leave the VR in place and short between those pins?

[Olympic 914]

So this alternator problem continues to vex me.

tested it by jumping DF and D+ and had good voltage, also tested jumping 12V to DF and also had good voltage. by these tests I ASSUMED the alternator was OK.

it was a rebuilt Bosch AL75X with 2k miles on it.

I just had the engine out for a leaking galley plug and while there replaced the alternator wiring harness with a new one from Bowlsby. I had the Fuching alternator in my hands......

Now during another 300 mile trip the Alt light came on at a about.250 miles. I was stuck in the mother of all traffic jams when I noticed the alt had quit. Not too worried about getting home since I had brought my new jump-box along. but it made it. Stopped for a few minutes at a truck stop about 15 mile from home and when leaving there the alternator started charging again. I had noticed the regulator was very hot and I replaced it with the new Beru unit.

Took it out today for a little 40 mile ride and every thing was fine, decide to take the GF for a ride and before I get out of the driveway..... you guessed it, alt not charging.

Checked the bulb, checked the fuses, ground strap connected, try different relay plate. etc. etc. Ad Nauseam .......

this time when jumping DF and D+ I get NO charge, jump 12V to DF and get 14V

I guess one of the diodes in the alternator gave up the ghost. So now I think the alternator may have been intermittently going. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) And I had it in my hand.....

I was really working hard to bring this thing to Hershey, but other than bringing it on a trailer it has me beat..

Next step will be to pull the alternator and probably order a new one. Shit...