Date: 10-15-05 09:21 From: andrewro in athens, georgia, indie rock capital Subject: Alternator light question
When my dimmer switch died a few days ago, I got the "L" as it was dying. This I expected as the switch was shorting. I pulled the switch completely, and now I have the "L" on, fully illuminated, whenever the car is on.
I have a switch coming. When I install it, can I expect the warning light to go out again? Does the switch complete a circuit that will otherwise allow a drain on the battery? The battery was totally dead Friday morning.
This is a 1972 2002.
Thanks!!
Date: 10-15-05 09:40 From: MatthewCervi in Ellicott City, Maryland Subject: Re: Alternator light question
No, the headlight switch is unrelated to the charging light circuit. My guess is that either the voltage regulator or alternator got damaged from the short. Hopefully it's something minor that I'm missing, though. _________________ Matthew Cervi
'73 tii
Date: 10-15-05 09:48 From: andrewro in athens, georgia, indie rock capital Subject: Re: Alternator light question
Can a shop test the alternator on the car?
Date: 10-15-05 10:02 From: MatthewCervi in Ellicott City, Maryland Subject: Re: Alternator light question
Yeah, or take it off and go to an auto parts store. Most of them can do alternator tests.
You can test the regulator yourself. With the car off, disconnect the three-prong connector at the regulator. Jumper the blue and black wires (the two sockets in a line on the connector), start the car and rev to about 1,000 rpm. If the light then goes out, the voltage regulator is bad, if it stays on, even dimly, then the alternator is probably the problem. _________________ Matthew Cervi
'73 tii
Date: 10-15-05 10:29 From: andrewro in athens, georgia, indie rock capital Subject: Re: Alternator light question
Well, I've found some crusty wiring underhood, probably burned when the switch failed. It is in the path of the alternator. Depending on the severity, I may be handing this job over to a shop next week.
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