i actually notice that [censored] on my car too, i turned OFF the key, and gen light stayed lit.. i unplugged the battery due to i dont know what the [censored] is wrong. I hope somebody can diagnose.
tightened the alt belt today light still on.was told that if you diconnected the pos battery cable while the car was running and it quit meant that the alt was bad,well i did that and the car kept running.the light is barely on at idle but brightens as you increase rpms. any ideas?
Tom :could it be the diode going in my alt or where you replying to Kneedamages post. if it is the diode is it replaceable or do you need a new alt.
The faulting diode will not necessarily prevent charging. The diodes can be replaced if you have the "correct" alternator for the car. Speaking from a matching numbers standpoint. Otherwise I would suggest replacing the alternator (or having yours rebuilt) for no more than they should run. I am assuming other internals would be nearing the end of their useful life. That way you have a warrantable assembly should it give you a problem down the road.
You can buy new diodes, new bearings and new brushes for the original alternator. If you replace these parts, you have the equivalent of a remanufactured alternator for a fraction of the cost and you get to keep the original part with your car. It's not a difficult job. At the most, its two hours on the workbench if you take your time on it as a new puzzle.
Bad diodes or worn out brushes will cause the alternator to not charge. So can voltage regulator or wiring issues. Brushes seem to go at around 75K miles. A rare cause of failure would be shorted or open turns inside the alternator. In that instance, you're only option is to replace it.
Volt guages are a jokes. A battery can have around 12 to 14 volts and be deader than a doornail. A battery that reads as having 12 volts and 3 amps output is dead, but the sfb volt meter will tell you that--duh--the battery/system has 12 volts.
Simply, anything other than an amp meter, and your pizzin in the wind as far as trying to rate the charging system.
well , I pulled my dash last night to remove my clock for repair and after reassembly my GEN light was off with the key on and on with the car running. I consulted my wireing manuals and proceded to check engine / battery grounds. pulled and reinstalled the dash. Checked alternator output ( good ) took voltage regulator off and apart and cleaned the contacts.Pulled ignition swith and took apart and cleaned the contacts. Found when the emergency brake is pushed the light for it glows dimly and gen light brightly when the car is running. Called for help from a friend who owns an electrical repair shop - and " WE HAVE A WINNER ! " He told me to look for a blown fuse. I had visually checked them first , but skipped checking with a test light ! found ignition fuse with hairline crack .Bird fixed ,hard lesson relearned. :-(
