ignition light keeps coming on!
Discussion
Driving last night (and this morning) the red ignition warning light top centre of the dashboard came on after about 15 mins of driving.
I noticed that the light comes on when:
1. the water temperature is quite warm (not warm enough for fans to kick in though)
2. voltmeter drops from around 13.5 v (normal running) to about 11.5
I am guessing that en electrical cable connection to the alternator is failing when too hot, but not sure where to look first.
Anyone else seen this problem?
thanks in advanced for any help!
Andrew
I noticed that the light comes on when:
1. the water temperature is quite warm (not warm enough for fans to kick in though)
2. voltmeter drops from around 13.5 v (normal running) to about 11.5
I am guessing that en electrical cable connection to the alternator is failing when too hot, but not sure where to look first.
Anyone else seen this problem?
thanks in advanced for any help!
Andrew
Thatch said:
yellowgriff said:
~Sound like a exchange alternator in on the horizon
is this a normal symptom of an alternator packing up then?better change it before it stops completely!
thanks
There are probably three connections on the alternator. The thick one goes to the battery via the 100A fuse and the starter motor and two thinner ones. One of the thinner ones goes to the ignition warning light the other is not connected in the loom The warning light has a 12v Supply on one side when the ignition is on. If the alternator is charging it will also generate 12v so the light has 12v on both sides and it goes out.
As suggested the first place to look is probably the 100A fuse which is often in a black plastic box attached to the engine mount. Follow the thick cable and you should come to it. These tend to fail mechanically or become loose. If you are going to expose any of the connections the remove the battery terminal first, if you short that wire to the chassis there will be rather a lot of smoke. If the fuse looks Ok then it could be the alternator or possibly the belt tension. The belt will become looser when warm but this should be taken up with the belt tensioner pulley if it is working.
As suggested the first place to look is probably the 100A fuse which is often in a black plastic box attached to the engine mount. Follow the thick cable and you should come to it. These tend to fail mechanically or become loose. If you are going to expose any of the connections the remove the battery terminal first, if you short that wire to the chassis there will be rather a lot of smoke. If the fuse looks Ok then it could be the alternator or possibly the belt tension. The belt will become looser when warm but this should be taken up with the belt tensioner pulley if it is working.
I thought it was the orange light that lit up when it was an alternator related problem 
Anyway remove the 100amp fuse and inspect carefully as they crack and can cause an intermittent fault and in any case for what they cost i would replace it anyway
certainly the first thing to check in my book 
Anyway remove the 100amp fuse and inspect carefully as they crack and can cause an intermittent fault and in any case for what they cost i would replace it anyway
certainly the first thing to check in my book 
. Is it coming back to you now
If your 100Amp fuse is OK before changing the alternator just check that the alternator terminals are clean, a good idea to take them off and clean with emery. As said above make sure you disconnect the battery first though.
I experienced identical symptoms and it was just dirty connections.
I experienced identical symptoms and it was just dirty connections.
jesfirth said:
minor thread hijack. I am just about to clean all earths and electrical conections and rebolt them. Should I cover them in grease first and if so what type for electrical conductivity?
Clean the connectors and tighten them up dry. Then cover them with petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff