"GEN" idiot light & power window electrical issues
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
"GEN" idiot light & power window electrical issues
Driving home yesterday in my 77, the red "GEN" idiot light came on. I'm holding at about 11 amps, according to the battery guage -- it's low but I guess the alternator is still charging the battery. Anybody know what this warning light might be about?
Also, about a week ago the driver's side power window stopped going down, but will still roll up. The window will still roll down when I am not sitting in the driver's seat (I kneel next to the car and roll it down before I get in -- and it works); which is weird. I replaced the chrome switch in the center console (which fixed the problem on the passenger's side the last time this happened to that window) but that didn't help. The amp guage needle moves when I jiggle the switch up, but not down. I probably should take a look at the wiring... any other ideas?
[Modified by utt73, 12:18 PM 4/17/2003]
[Modified by utt73, 12:19 PM 4/17/2003]
Also, about a week ago the driver's side power window stopped going down, but will still roll up. The window will still roll down when I am not sitting in the driver's seat (I kneel next to the car and roll it down before I get in -- and it works); which is weird. I replaced the chrome switch in the center console (which fixed the problem on the passenger's side the last time this happened to that window) but that didn't help. The amp guage needle moves when I jiggle the switch up, but not down. I probably should take a look at the wiring... any other ideas?
[Modified by utt73, 12:18 PM 4/17/2003]
[Modified by utt73, 12:19 PM 4/17/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls Ontario
Re: "GEN" idiot light & power window electrical issues (77Dream)
I just repaired my drivers side window , it would not go up or down either. The wire was broken in that rubber boot that goes from the door to the boby i guess from 30 years of opening and closing the wire gust broke Dave :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: "GEN" idiot light & power window electrical issues (utt73)
I had a similiar problem: my Gen light came on, my voltage guage died, and my power windows died. These things are all on the same circuit I guess because I changed the guages fuse and it all worked again. I think mine was caused by a crappy radio install by the previous owner. Something is wrong within that circuit or the alternator is dying, I'm going to say the latter though.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Re: "GEN" idiot light & power window electrical issues
Possibly I'm just not getting a full 12V on the field windings? Maybe the regulator or one of the 4 diodes is out? I do hear a whine in the tape player that changes with engine RPM -- I heard that was an idicator...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: "GEN" idiot light & power window electrical issues (utt73)
If it's the S10-I altenator I've had dozens apart and the usual problems are brushes worn out or one of the 6 diodes in the bridge is bad.
Steve :steering:
Steve :steering:
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