GEN Light stuck on
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
GEN Light stuck on
Any reason my GEN light would stay on all the time? It used to shut off shortly after the car started. 1979 L48.
Does not appear to be a drain anywhere or short that I know of. Thoughts?
Does not appear to be a drain anywhere or short that I know of. Thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 176
From: Hillsborough NC
The GEN light receives power from a feed on the dash side and a lead from the back of the alternator. If the voltages get out of whack, the light starts to light up with the brightness being the difference between the two voltages. I.E. if the alternator is dead, the light will light brightly.
I would have the alternator checked at the local parts store first. If that checks out, I'd start looking for shorts.
I would have the alternator checked at the local parts store first. If that checks out, I'd start looking for shorts.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
The GEN light in my car would illuminate only after 2000 RPMs but the car ran and drove just fine and the battery never drained.I replaced the alternator, which was getting very old and was used when I installed it, and the problem went away. No more GEN light.
If yours is staying on all the time I suspect you will be experiencing a failure soon, and it may leave you stranded.
Get yours checked out and get a replacement or have it rebuilt.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
What does the voltmeter in your car read when you are idling? What does it read when you are up to speed? It should be around 13-14 volts. Let us know what you find.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Voltmeter reads around that 13-14 range. No drain, like others have suggested, things run fine.. I do notice that while the light IS on all the time, it is at varying brightnesses.
It is super bright when I first start the car, then dims, but continues to remain ON.
So it seems I should check the wires to the alternator and or replace the alternator?
I guess I will explore both options. I did recently replace the alternator belt, though I do not remember this problem occurring directly after that though, so I do not see that being related.
Thanks.
It is super bright when I first start the car, then dims, but continues to remain ON.
So it seems I should check the wires to the alternator and or replace the alternator?
I guess I will explore both options. I did recently replace the alternator belt, though I do not remember this problem occurring directly after that though, so I do not see that being related.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
"ALTERNATOR WARNING LIGHT
"What does that little red light that says ALT mean when it comes on?" Very basically, it means that either the alternator output voltage is lower than the battery voltage, or the battery voltage is lower than the alternator output voltage. If the light gets dimmer as you rev up the engine, then you most likely have a problem with the alternator. If it gets brighter, then the battery is most likely bad."
Given I have the dimmer the higher the RPM's I guess it is time to get a new alternator?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Trust me, that's tight!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
At least your keeping your sense of humor. Battery terminal connections can cause issues. Keep them tight also.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Gonna order the alternator today. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
Got a 105AMP CS130 off eBay, NEW and Chrome.
Here it is installed.
Wish the rest of the engine compartment looked that nice!
BTW, the GEN light went out!!! Al is good! Thanks to all the advice and help!
Here it is installed.
Wish the rest of the engine compartment looked that nice!
BTW, the GEN light went out!!! Al is good! Thanks to all the advice and help!
Last edited by Mia; Jun 20, 2008 at 07:49 AM. Reason: spelling error correction
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
