intermittent idiot light problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,166
Likes: 0
From: wilton ct.
intermittent idiot light problem
my alternator light fkickers sometimes. it does that night or day,under load or at idle. i cant find anything loose. it's a 79/with auto trans. i feel like disconnecting the idiot light. the battery and alternator have been replaced. thx for your help (i hope) jim......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: intermittent idiot light problem (corv58)
Inside the alternator is the voltage regulator and a diode trio. One of the diodes is there just to turn on the idiot light when current flows from the battery instead of towards it. Diodes are a one way valve that let electricty flow one way but stop it from flowing the other way. So if your battery is recieving 14 or more volts (on the volt meter) and the light is still flickering or on dim. then the diode trio is most likely defective.( Leaking if you will)When that particular diode goes bad there are no other symtoms. If you are in doubt just put a meter across the battery itself to see if it is charging.
