My valve cover gasket failed and leaked oil onto the alternator (Bosch 80A). I removed the alternator so I could wipe the sludge and oil off it's casement. The problem is, I did not pay attention to the wiring on the back of the alternator during removal, and don't know where to reconnect the blue ground wire. I see the post where the big red wire from the battery goes (B+) and the post where the thin red signal wire connects (D), but where does the blue ground wire go? There are no other posts on the back and nothing looks obvious to me. Does it have to do with that 'W' mark? I looked at my other wagon for reference, but that alternator is a replacement, and is somewhat different on the back side.

Thanks for the help.

Ally, 86 & 88 245's

p.s. The lameness of this problem is not lost on me, believe me, but i'd rather come off as clueless than take a guess and fry something expensive.

The ground wire grounds the alternator (to the engine block via the alt. bracket). So any post on the alt. shell should do. Ie. The bolts that hold the alt. together.
--
'80..245..M46...b21a..SU carb..

Asking questions.. good. Frying stuff.. not so good. Watching your car go up in flames.. bad.

Anyways, I believe the W terminal is the output for a (diesel) tachometer.

What you want is that unmarked stud towards the bottom.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo

Poster in the coffee room at our oil and gas processing plant: "There are no stupid questions - only stupid mistakes".
--
Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-944 B230FD)