"L" light on dash is on, but very faint.

[DLogic]

Did a forum search and didn't find anything about this particular problem.

I pulled into the parking garage at the San Jose Auto Show and noticed the light was on, but very, very dim. I shut off the car and restarted and it turned over fine.

I drove for about 40 miles back and shut her off to go into the store, went back out and turned it over. It took a few more cranks than normal, then it finally turned over. Same thing happened about 15 minutes later.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[SteveJ]

Make sure that the indicator is not on because of "bleed through" light from the instrument panel illumination. In other words, make sure the L light is still glowing dimly when you shut off the headlights.

After that, start checking all grounds and make sure the battery terminals are CLEAN.

[mixamson]

you've got a loose belt, just tighten her up and see if that helps - I had the same problem and it was just a loose belt.

[DLogic]

I'll check the belt tonight. Thanks.

Steve: I don't think it was light, as the headlights were off at the time. BTW, just moved out to Dublin from Tracy. We should get together.

Thanks to you both.

[Guest Anonymous]

We're going to be at the Peet's coffee in San Ramon(Bolinger Cyn exit, Target parking lot) tomorrow morning. Even if you don't do the drive up to Sac, you could still drop by for a cup 'o joe and meet Al Canuck and Trevor.

I am estimating about 10:15 or 10:30. I'll know more when I talk to Al tonight.

[DLogic]

Unfortunately I'll be working out in Tracy from 9 to 4. Thanks for the invite though. If you guys are getting together in the future though drop me a line at damon at drivewire.us

Enjoy your day tomorrow.

[Chris_B]

Barring some electrical problem in the indicator light circuit itself, this basically means that more juice is coming from your battery than your alternator.

Checking the alt. drive belt and connections (both + and -, mainly, at battery, alt. and between alt. and chassis) is a good place to start. However, you might want to check the alternator output, at the B+ terminal on the alt., in order to isolate the problem a bit. If you have good output at the alternator (s/b >+14V), then you can look for bad connections.

Don't have a voltmeter? Get or borrow one... less than $15 at most auto parts stores. If you look, you can find a multimeter for $10.

[vintage_car]

I agree with Chris_B and others. I just finished chasing the last of my electrical demons out of the car. What your describing is similar to my last problem except the indicator would get a little brighter as the RPM's raised. If that is the case check the volage across the altenator. I did and mine was 3V less than the battery or the starter. I re-did the connections on the altenator and the problem is now gone. I highly recommend replacing the connections on all your ground wires, as well as, any wires that may have a butt connector splicing the wire I'd replace the wire if possible. I also replaced the positive and ground wire from the battery which helped as well.