I notice that on my VS the alternator idiot light is lit up very very dimly (almost imperceptible) while my car is running. In the darl you can notice it more. Should I be worried or is that common?
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I notice that on my VS the alternator idiot light is lit up very very dimly (almost imperceptible) while my car is running. In the darl you can notice it more. Should I be worried or is that common?
Ricardo,
Could be as simple as a loose or corroded wire, could be alternator going bad... Check belt tension, although that most likely isn't your problem (and it would go away at higher rpms). Start with the simple things (check wires on alt. and battery cables). If that doesn't help, have the alternator tested.
Sounds like it may be starting to go bad, and is putting out just enough voltage to "tickle" the light, but not turn it on.
Carey
Could be as simple as a loose or corroded wire, could be alternator going bad... Check belt tension, although that most likely isn't your problem (and it would go away at higher rpms). Start with the simple things (check wires on alt. and battery cables). If that doesn't help, have the alternator tested.
Sounds like it may be starting to go bad, and is putting out just enough voltage to "tickle" the light, but not turn it on.
Carey
Wow, Carey, the alternator would be sort of a drag, the car has only a little over 3,500 miles....I just hope it's just a semi-loose wire...Thanks!
Also, try unplugging and replugged your wires. Worked for me.
I drove the car today for a trip a little over 75 miles at highway speeds and I couldn't see the indicator light up; maybe it was because of the daylight but it woked fine nonetheless. Also, my battery keeps the charge perfectly.
Ricardo
Check the alternator is charging the battery; it should show about 14.5v at the battery with the engine running.
The idiot light is supplied with 12v +ve & earths at the alternator when the ignition is turned on. This circuit is important & if the bulb blows it should be replaced immediately. Your alternator may not charge the battery if the bulb is faulty.
Once the engine is running 12v is supplied from the alternator up to the light which extinguishes the light. 12v +ve now on both sides of the bulb.
A dimly glowing bulb is often the prelude to alternator failure.
Check the alternator is charging the battery; it should show about 14.5v at the battery with the engine running.
The idiot light is supplied with 12v +ve & earths at the alternator when the ignition is turned on. This circuit is important & if the bulb blows it should be replaced immediately. Your alternator may not charge the battery if the bulb is faulty.
Once the engine is running 12v is supplied from the alternator up to the light which extinguishes the light. 12v +ve now on both sides of the bulb.
A dimly glowing bulb is often the prelude to alternator failure.
If you useing a remote voltage regulator. Clean the plug on the alt. thats a common problem. with the older externaly reged, alt's.
If it is the Alt, Have you been turnning some high reves lateley thats known to burn out the rectofier diod in some internaly reged Alts
If it is the Alt, Have you been turnning some high reves lateley thats known to burn out the rectofier diod in some internaly reged Alts