> So . . . for all you electrical wizzes out there . . . . is that
> normal? If
> you short the two wires going to the ignition warning light bulb . . .
> should you still be able to turn off the engine?
No, your description is exactly right. With the ignition bulb shorted, you
normally would not be able to shut off the engine.
One side of the bulb is connected to the ignition circuit, the other to a
special connection on the alternator that supplies voltage when the
alternator is working. In normal operation, the bulb goes out because there
is 12v on both sides of it, so no net current. When you turn the key off,
the bulb glows for an instant, because the alternator is still supplying
voltage. If it was shorted, the alternator would supply the current to run
the ignition.
Some electronic ignitions (MSD 6 for example) can actually be powered by the
current through the bulb, so they give you a diode to install and prevent
the back current.
Randall
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