Dreaded "L" light... only on right-hand turns

[doog]

Last week, I attempted to chase down a potential grounding problem, but found nothing amiss. When I was idling, the alternator charged steadily: I measured voltage at 14+. Also, while idling, with an insulated, non-metalic screwdriver, I touched and moved slightly any wires associated with the charging system: everything was fine. However, right-hand turns caused the charging light to flicker. Have you any advice?

[c.d.iesel]

loose 3-wire plug connection on back of alternator

[Timmer]

and if not the 3 wire plug, the connection just above it, that wire has been known to work loose; check your v-belt tension and battery connections as well just for gits and shiggles

Tim

[doog]

Thanks.

Yes, I checked the 3-prong connector, the grounding strap, and the B+ connection.

[JohnS]

I had a similar problem with my car and when I went to replace the alternator, I found that the alternator mount where it bolts to the block was really loose. It was hard to notice until I took the fan belt off and released the tension on the alternator. My grounding strap for the alternator was connected to one of the alternator mount bolts that was loose.

John

[Timmer]

Thinking along the same lines as John; possibly a mounting bushing as well, causing the v-belt to maybe lose correct tension when turning right and causing the L light to come on.

Tim

[SteveJ]

One easy method I use to eliminate any question on the wiring is to run seperate, individual wires from the regulator to the back of the alternator. I'll also run a new clean wire of the + connection and a new ground wire. If the problem remains, at least you'll know it's not wire related and it'll save you from tearing into an otherwise good harness.

[doog]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Unfortunately, I've not discovered the root cause of the problem. Perhaps the alternator is simply tired: worn bearings and brushes.

[willys]

Does it only happen when you are moving? If it happens when you are stationary, perhaps your issue is at one of your fixtures.

[Retrogroucher]

Really reaching here, but is your battery shifting with righties and affecting connection(s)? Really doubt it. Had you said "lefties," maybe...

[doog]

I thought about that too; however, the battery is stable.

[doog]

When I was just about to call it a day, I discovered the problem: the collection of wires that included the B+ from the alternator and that was enclosed in a cloth, rubber-impregnated sheath (?), had been abraded by the threaded end of a bolt beneath the battery tray. The sheath was worn away exposing the casing of the B+ wire: at rest or moving straight ahead, apparently, the B+ wire was micros away from the bolt, which, of course, was ground. However, right-hand turns must have force the B+ wire close enough to partially short the B+. (Actually, it might have been a capacitance effect, since I did not find any exposed wire.) Anyway, I wrapped the worn area of the sheath in silicon tape, enclosed the entire collection in convoluted, plastic sleeving, and moved the loop away from the chassis, fixing it with zip ties.