Does the ignition warning light come on when you first turn on the ignition
and go out once the engine is started and revved to about 900 rpm? If not
it should.
Usually, not charging until 2-3000 rpm is reached is an indication that the
'priming' voltage from the ignition through the warning light is not
reaching the internals of the alt, accompanied by no warning light under any
circumstances.
The warning light white *usually* connects to the rest of the white circuits
at the multi-plug near the steering column. Any bad connections 'upwind' of
this can cause volt-drops on the white side of the warning light, which will
cause it to glow at some level because it still has full charging voltage on
the other side.
Another cause could be bad connections between the alt and the battery
causing the output voltage to rise. This could explain your 20v, but would
be mutually exclusive with the 'no charge' thing unless you have two
intermittent faluts - not impossible. This fault would also cause slow
cranking at times.
Measure the voltage on each side of the warning light, when it is glowing,
to a good ground. Whichever side *doesn't* have normal charging voltage -
i.e. your 13.8v to 14.1v - with the engine running at 1000rpm plus and a
minimal load has the problem, be it a voltage higher *or* lower than normal.
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
From: <wizardz@toad.net>
To: <spridgets@autox.team.net>; <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2000 1:02 AM
Subject: WIERD! no difference but it's still on!
> Alternator was flaking for a while there.
> Every once in a great while I would notice my head lights get really
bright.
> Well after installing a voltmeter I can attribute that happenstance to
> the regulator going up to 20 + volts
> I'd pull over... (slowing the engine) wait a second and it would recover.
> Back up to speed..volt meter at 13-15 volts.... a ok
>
> Well tonight I noticed the idiot light on... volt meter reading 12 volts
> rev it to 12-1500... nothing. run up to 3Krpm... it goes out. ...
> Nope...no good it's now back on.
>
> Ok.... drove it home from work half on charging...half on battery.
> Swiped the alternator out of the midget and stuck it in the B.
> Well even at an idle, the alternator is kicking out 13.8-14.01 volts.
> BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ON!
>
> I've checked the white ckt wiring all the way back from the idiot light,
to
> the
> ignition switch, to the fuel pump, to the O/D harness, to the tach, and to
> the coil.
>
> At the ign. switch both the brn and WHT ckts have 14.01 on them.
>
> I'm under the impression there is a electrical block connector that ties
> all the WHTs together somewhere under the dash that the ign. sw. WHT wire
> goes to.
> That block is also the connection for the other WHT feeds.
>
> QUESTION: If the WHT wire was coming loose at the block wouldn't
> a higher resistance here at this connection only limit the voltage through
> the
> idiot light. If limited...why would it glow?
>
> Paul Tegler wizardz@toad.net http://www.teglerizer.com
> OBie - '73 BGT - daily driver
> http://www.teglerizer.com/mgstuff/ob_description.htm
> Punkin' - '78 Spitfire - corner ripping screamer
> http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/spit78.htm
> Lil' Greenee - '73 RWA Midget - lady killer
> http://www.teglerizer.com/midgetstuff/index.html
>
> Paul Tegler wizardz@toad.net http://www.teglerizer.com
> OBie - '73 BGT - daily driver
> http://www.teglerizer.com/mgstuff/ob_description.htm
> Punkin' - '78 Spitfire - corner ripping screamer
> http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/spit78.htm
> Lil' Greenee - '73 RWA Midget - lady killer
> http://www.teglerizer.com/midgetstuff/index.html
>
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