“GEN” Dash Light On

Q: “GEN” Dash Light On

What could the problem be when my dash “GEN” light stays on all the time? In the last 2 weeks on a 1968 350 2bbl, I replaced the alternator with a Delco remanufactured unit and then the regulator went so I replaced it. Last week, only a day after the regulator was replaced, the “GEN” idiot ight began to blink on and off randomly. I let the car cool and check the connections to the alternator, the regulator, and the plug through the firewall that connects to the fuse box I believe. The “GEN” light stopped flashing but is on very dull.

I took the alternator off and had it tested last night. It tests okay. I am not familiar with any test procedures for a regulator. I did buy a new one though and will try and put it in tonight. One odd thing I noticed last night. When I start the car, the “GEN” light comes on dull. HOWEVER, when I turn the ignition on, but don’t turn it all the way to start the car, none of the idiot lights come on any more. It used to be that if you turned the key left or right so it just opens the circuit for the battery to run (i.e. to listen to the radio), the TEMP, GEN and another light came on. I haven’t checked the fuse yet to see if the fuse for the dash lights is still good. But if the fuse were blown, why would the “GEN” light be on, as dull as it is. ANY CLUES???

A: It’s possible that you have a faulty ground in your dash cluster and this is causing a “ground loop” through the GEN light. You can make a temporary ground with a clip lead (a test lead) or just a piece of wire and see if that cures the problem.

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