Charles
It is very common for the ignition warning light to flicker dimly at idle if
an accessory is used. Although some on the list would disagree, I have
never had good luck with Lucas alternators. The local parts house I deal
with supplies genuine Lucas rebuilds, yet it seemed that one out of two was
faulty right out of the box. It got so I made them bench test them before I
would leave the store. After four alternators in six years, I now sport a
GM Alternator on the 74, and the 78 I just bought has a Mitsubishi unit on
it.
The Lucas unit is internally regulated, and the ignition light flickers
because the belt is loose, or a diode is going bad.
David Riker
74 Midget
78 Midget
63 Falcon
http://personalweb.sunset.net/~davidr
----- Original Message -----
From: Charles D. Sorkin <cdsorkin@ix.netcom.com>
To: Spridget List <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 1999 7:10 AM
Subject: Battery indicator warning
> Good morning list:
>
> While cruising around last night (I'm sure glad the heater works so well,
it
> was 28 degrees out) I noticed something of concern. While at idle, and
> while coasting in neutral, I noticed that when I used any electrical
feature
> (heater fan, headlights, brakes), the ignition warning light would come on
> very faintly. Revving the engine seemed to put it out again. My first
> thought was that the regulator wasn't functioning properly, but my idle
> speed (1000-1100 rpm) should have been fast enough to deliver sufficient
> output from the alternator. The light was faint enough that I would not
> have noticed it except that the light bulb in my garage had burnt out.
>
> What items should be checked / tested, and in what order? Also, where is
> the regulator on a '74 Midget located? In the alternator? Near the fuse
> block? (Don't hassle me, I don't have the manual here at the office).
>
> Regards,
>
> Charles
> '74 Midget
> '68 Sprite
> cdsorkin@ix.netcom.com
> Bloomfield, NJ
>
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