Thanks to some timely posts here and some searching on my part I figured problem for the wagon was the voltage regulator. I replaced it and am now getting 14.2 volts at the battery versus 12.5 to 12.7. The battery may still replacing but that's another day. The initial symptoms were the dash battery light would come on dimly but it would go out if you revved engine. The battery would slowly lose charge particularly when using lights and the climate control. Finally the dash warning lights on the left side wouldn't go on when doing the glow routine. One brush was very worn down and probably making intermittent and then no contact. Easy repair - two screws for the alternator heat shield and then two screws for the voltage regulator. Thanks again this board is one great resource.

did you look inside the area of the voltage regulator and look at the slip rings? that is the area on the aremature where the brushes ride, i have seen them with large grooves that cause the brushes to wear prematurely,

You mean.... your alternator STILL had a heat shield ?



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Thanks for the tip. I didn't look for major grooves. Maybe my repair will be short term. Yes, the alternator still had the heat shield. I am fairly certain the alternator was replaced at some point according to the records I have. The voltage regulator I removed was by a US manufacturer so I would assume that was replaced at some later point.

On Lucas alternators common here in India, the VR has to be replaced regularly at every two years interval or get ready to shell out money for new battery, essential to also have a voltage and amp meter in case one has many accesories.