95 Golf charging problem

[bvolks73]

Within the last week my 95 Golf has developed a charging problem. Occasionally when I first start it up it takes a while (sometimes up to 30 seconds) for the alternator to kick in. Once it starts charging there are no more problems until I shut the car off and start it again. I noticed this morning that the battery light didn't come on when it wasn't charging (I have a gauge installed too) and that the battery light occasionally doesn't come on when I turn the key to the on position. Conviently it seems that if the battery light comes on when I turn the key on, it charges normally. If the battery light isn't there, it's slow to start charging so I assume I have a connection problem somewhere, but where do I start looking? Is this another dreaded cluster problem?
 
 

[the caveman]

If you are lucky, you will a bosch model with the removable/replaceable brushes and regulator. 2 phillips screws to remove it. It will be on the oppisite side of the pulley, diamond shaped with a circular transister in the middle. If so, remove and check to see what kind of shape the brushes are in. They may have worn down to nothing
Also check the blue field wire