"Possessed" generator light
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Aberdeen NC
"Possessed" generator light
Ok - you electrical gurus - here's one for you - what should I check? When I start the '78 there is no generator light on. If I increase idle it will kick on like clockwork at 1600RPMs every time and the interior lights get brighter. I've had the alternator pulled and checked - no problems. Found that the grounding wire from the "power in" plug was frayed/broken, so that is replaced and the generator light isstill coming on at 1600RPMs. When I remove my foot from the accelerator and let it return to idle (1100RPMs) the light stays on. The battery indicator is registering a flatliner but the battery is brand new. What gives?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Re: "Possessed" generator light (five-boy-mom)
SOrry I can't offer any specific help, but mine is possessed too. I've heard from several sources that 78's are prone to electrical problems. Sometimes my electrical system will overcharge, and sometimes it will undercharge. And of coarse, the GEN light will illuminate spontaneously every once in a while............so at least you're not alone!!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: wellington N Zealand
Re: "Possessed" generator light (five-boy-mom)
Got a similar problem on my 77. When I start it and run at LOW revs (almost stalling) the Gen light is off. When I increase the revs it burns a nice bright red. :(:
Gauge shows charging about the middle (half way between the two reds of over and undercharge). The battery does go flat after a bit of driving.:eek:
Am about to pop it into the auto electricians for a look. I suspect my alternator is stuffed.
:cool: :cool: :cool:
[Modified by tippi58, 3:52 AM 12/10/2002]
Gauge shows charging about the middle (half way between the two reds of over and undercharge). The battery does go flat after a bit of driving.:eek:
Am about to pop it into the auto electricians for a look. I suspect my alternator is stuffed.
:cool: :cool: :cool:
[Modified by tippi58, 3:52 AM 12/10/2002]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Aberdeen NC
Re: "Possessed" generator light (wombvette)
Wayne, by flatliner I mean it reads nothing, clear to the left and is not operational when the light is off. When this started I had trouble with the interior lights going off after the appropriate delay time and that was running the battery down. They wouldn't go off when I was driving either. Just last night the generator light changed from "never going off after starting the car" to the "turns off after starting but clicks on at 1600RPMs thing."
Tippi - what do you mean by a stuffed alternator - overcharging?
[Modified by five-boy-mom, 12:23 PM 12/10/2002]
Tippi - what do you mean by a stuffed alternator - overcharging?
[Modified by five-boy-mom, 12:23 PM 12/10/2002]
