Trying to re-purpose old hardware for can be like trying to resurrect the dead: You might get them them up and running but they'll lurch around slowly and have an insatiable appetite for brains. In the case of hardware the desire for brain *power* can often be more trouble than it's worth. Still if you need a lightweight, expendable box to test and experiment with you can't get off any cheaper than with an out of date system..

The unfortunate downside of using such antiquated hardware is that when it goes down it goes down hard. Don't hold out hope for finding replacement parts and don't spend more than twenty minutes looking for old driver updates. If they are out there you'll need a fine toothed comb to locate them.

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A quick update on the Passat electrics issue. My first attempt at ordering a replacement part met with quite a dilemma: There are six different versions to choose from. Two different manufacturers, two different amperage ratings and two additional non-descript models. Further research was needed so I put the car on jack stands and started poking around under the car.

Based on the markings and look of my generator unit plus the account of several other B5 V6 Passat owners I've determined that my part is most likely a Valeo 120 Amp generator. Several folks suggested that I test the voltage from the B+ terminal before assuming the generator was at fault. As I suspected the voltage was low regardless of where I tested it relative to the generator. This was good news since a grounding wire issue would be a bitch to track down.

The bad news is that I need to put the front of the car in the "service lock position" which is a fancy way of saying you have to remove the bumper cover, headlights and unscrew a few bolts so that you can have a few extra inches to work. I determined that there is absolutely no way to get the generator out of the car without doing this. Since I need to remove it to have it tested or to replace a part I pre-ordered a voltage regulator for the unit.

The worse case is that I'll pull the generator, replace the voltage regulator and still have a voltage problem. I can then take the entire component to AutoZone and have them bench test it to confirm that the generator is bad. I'll then have to reinstall the generator and wait for the replacement. Best case the voltage regulator is bad and the replacement will fix it.

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Big congrats to de Ferran Motorsports including owner-driver Gil de Ferran and "secret weapon" Simon Pagenaud. De Ferran's flawless stint put the Acura ARX-01b in a great position among a shuffled P1 and P2 category. Pagenaud took the helm and unleashed a series of laps that rivaled class and overall winner the Penske Porsche RS Spyder of Bernhard and Dumas's best time.

Overall it was a surprise to see the Acura's excel on the permanent course especially for a brand new team like de Ferran. In the words of one Speed commentator: "The Acuras are here and they are coming".

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When it comes to constant car maintenance the Passat doesn't disappoint. I took a drive this morning to our local garden supply store and on the way noticed a "battery" warning light. After a quick diagnostic with my multi-meter and Volkswagen scan software I determined that the generator was bad.

So how did I figure it out? For starters I measured the voltage across the battery connections while the car was running. The reading was 11.8 volts which is well below the 14+ volts you'd expected with a functional generator. I turned off the car and measured again, this time I read 12.3 volts. A bit low but not out of whack. I then let the battery sit for an hour or so and rechecked, this time reading 12.4.

What happened: The battery was discharging (or draining) while I ran the car. The alternator/generator was not recharging the battery so it was losing power every time I started or drove the car. When I turned the car off the battery went back into "recovery" mode and the voltage creped back up as the battery regulated its self.

Eventually the battery would have died or become too weak to start the car. I made a quick trip to the store and bought a battery charger, which will keep the battery well charged until the replacement generator I ordered arrives. The temporarily solution is to recharge the battery every night so I can drive the car, though I'll have to do it without the headlights or over very long distances.

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