Hey! Its not a bug, its a new feature!
Dennis
77B
>
>Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 20:47:58 -0400
>From: Florrie & Allen Bachelder <bachldrs@swva.net>
>Subject: Alternator light
>
>Kathy -
>
>About 2 years ago, while disconnecting the wiring harness to the alternator
>on my '76 B, I broke a diode that some PO had soldered on the brown/yellow
>lead (I think). ' Checked the wiring diagram in Haynes - no diode in the
>original setup, so I spliced the lead back together without it. Ever
>since, my alternatorlight has the same soft glow you describe.
>Mechanic-friend of mine told me there was some sort of electrical
>"leak" or backfeed in these cars - which many dealers fixed with the
>addition of the diode. I was cautious for a few days; I didn't have time
>to get a new diode and put it in. Well, days turned into weeks, into
>months...
>
>Well, I never replaced the diode. Frankly the battery is older than dirt
>and despite 2 years of electrical "leakage"since the diode broke it still
>hasn't discharged . What's more, I've grown dependent on that soft-glowing
>light. For example, I had an intermittent bullet connector on my brake
>light circuit. Upon fixing it - I now have an "indicator light" that
>assures me that indeed my brake lights are working! As are my back-up
>lights, turn signals, and auxiliary driving lights. I was perplexed by the
>gentle flickering in that alternator light for awhile - until I realized
>that was caused by the fuel pump. If the light ever quits flickering, I'll
>anticipate engine failure in a few seconds and I'll know why. I say, leave
>it - this is one of the handiest features on your MGB, and next to your oil
>pressure gauge, it is your most useful instrument.
>
>Having said that, I hope the cause of your's is the same as mine!
>
>Allen
>
>>From: "K. Johnson" <buffymgb@ria.net>
>>Subject: Alternator light
>>Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 14:36:20 -0700
>>Reply-To: "K. Johnson" <buffymgb@ria.net>
>>
>>Hope somebody can help me with this...I'm sure it's been gone over before
>>but I've missed it.
>>
>> I have a '70B and the alternator light comes on whenever I turn more than
>>one thing on, i.e. headlights and turn signal. It's dim enough that you
>>can't see it during the day, only at night, but gets brighter the more
>>things you turn on. Thinking it was the alternator, I replaced that, but it
>>still does the same thing. It has a brand new battery in it so it shouldn't
>>be that. Someone said it was the voltage stabilizer....I'm game for that,
>>but I don't know where it's located to check it or replace it.
>>
>>I'm up for any suggestions...
>>TIA
>>
>>Kathy
>>'70B
>>'71 Beetle
>>'50 GMC P/U
>>
|