dumb question about alternator warning light

[Guest Anonymous]

Hey gang, silly question. When the "L" indicator stays on, does that mean it's draining the battery, or putting a charge on it? thanks!

[Guest Anonymous]

Basically means there is voltage going from the battery to the alternator (and therefore the rest of the electrical systems).

Matthew Cervi

'73 tii

[Guest Anonymous]

thanks. I can't seem to figure out why it's draining...must be a short somewhere?

[Guest Anonymous]

Here are the possibilities based on what I've run into in the past (I'm sure there are others, too):

1. Alternator itself is dead

2. Ground or positive wire from alternator are broken/loose

3. Voltage regulator is dead (tends to cause a weak glow to light rather than bright light)

4. Wires between regulator and alternator are damaged

5. Poor connection at battery

I recommend looking for the simple things first (loose or obviously broken wires). Then try bypassing the voltage regulator (disconnect the 3-wire plug from the VR and jumper the blue and black wires--if the light goes out then the VR is bad). Next take the alternator to a parts store, most will check an alternator for free. If all the above is OK, then start looking very closely at wires. I ended up having to make a new harness between my alternator and VR because of a broken wire.

Matthew Cervi

'73 tii

[Guest Anonymous]

alternator, rebuild of buy a new one