Charging but getting a GEN light
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Charging but getting a GEN light
79 stock all of a sudden getting a GEN light at all speeds. The gague is still charging at its normal 13+ volts, battery is only a year old. Cleaned the battery terminals and everything is tight. Doesn't seem to affect the starting power of the battery. Bad warning light circuit, maybe or something more serious? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Ran down and unplugged the connector and no light. It is also no longer charging over 13volts. So, (1) what is the easy fix; and, (2) any harm in leaving it plugged in and running the car until I do the easy fix? Thanks again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
unplugging it disabled the alternator, so you can run it until the battery runs down. Easy for you and easy for me may be 2 different things. I would take it apart and get a new diode trio and put it back together, probly under $10 and your good to go. A new Reman alternator might last forever, or maybe not. But it will have a warrenty
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
New reman alternator with lifetime warranty is like $40. I went to kragen and did that. It looks like a clean version of the one I had. Just a rebuilt delco remy with a warranty. Works for me.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I changed out my stock alternator for a stock replacement one morning before work.
Step 1) Walk to the AutoZone that's about 5 blocks away, carrying the old alternator.
Step 2) Buy new alternator, walk the 5 blocks home carrying it.
Step 3) Bolt new alternator in place, plug it in, adjust belt tension.
Step 4) Take shower.
Step 5) Drive the 35 miles to work, get there before the end of the lunch break.
A straight alternator replacement is easy.
Step 1) Walk to the AutoZone that's about 5 blocks away, carrying the old alternator.
Step 2) Buy new alternator, walk the 5 blocks home carrying it.
Step 3) Bolt new alternator in place, plug it in, adjust belt tension.
Step 4) Take shower.
Step 5) Drive the 35 miles to work, get there before the end of the lunch break.
A straight alternator replacement is easy.
The cost of a Reman alt. for these engines is IMHO a better deal then messing around with an old on replacing parts..but then again i've just been getting very impatient lately.