Electrics

[dc400]

Hi All. I have a fault with electrics on 96 chimeara 4.0 . Battery charge light is just visible when engine running and tail lights dim slightly when indicators flash. Mot guy said some sort of short not bad enough to fail test. Alternator belt is not slack .Any help to save crawling around in the cold would be welcome. Thanks Derek

[sparkythecat]

I'd be checking the 100amp fuse, but unfortunately that means crawling about in the cold.

[ianwayne]

Seconded. When I had a very dimly lit charging light, it was due to the 100A fuse having a hairline crack in it. It's in a small holder bolted to the bottom right hand side of the engine.

[sparkythecat]

[CHIMPINGPED]

I agree to first look at the 100A fuse.
Interestingly, I was hunting for this under the car recently which I have raised on axle stands and couldn't find it on the chassis......I then discovered it inside the passenger footwell so it might be worth looking there as well

[eric450]

That fuse in the passenger foot well is usually an 80 amp protecting the fuseboard.
In addition to the 100 amp in the charging circuit.

[Aussie John]

Could be a diode in the alternator.

[Steve_D]

Do you own a digital multimeter? if not go buy one you will need it again at some time during TVR ownership.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Digital-Multimeter-...f:0

If/when you do, set it to DC volts and test the volts of the battery which will likely be sitting around 12 volts.. Start the engine and test again but this time you should be seeing 13-14 volts. If not then try bringing the revs up a little whilst testing.
If you don't see an increase in volts then test again at the back of the alternator. If you don't know how or where to test this then come back to us.
Main thing is to find if there is a charge at the battery first.

Steve

[Colin RedGriff]

Also worth checking your eart connections are clean and tight if your brake lights are being affected by the indicators

[Steve_D]

I'm pretty confident this will be a dead/dying alternator.
If the 100amp fuse is gone/cracked the battery will not charge or charge properly. the duff fuse would not be a reason for the charge light to glow.

Likewise the tail-light/indicator comment would be due to the battery voltage being low. If it is an earth fault then it is a separate issue to the charge light.

Steve

[sparkythecat]

When my 100 amp fuse went, the charge light came on because the battery wasn't being charged.

[Penelope Stopit]

Logic tells me the fault is unknown at present and will remain unknown until the circuits have been tested

[dc400]

Sorry for not getting back sooner . thanks for all you reply's, I have seen the 100 amp fuse on chassis I will look at this .Ihave someone coming Boxing day he is bringing a multi meter. I will let you know if we find anything .Merry Christmas all.