Charging warning light with indicators???
Discussion
Hi gents, took the Wedge to work today and came home in the dark, roof down of course. Wedge ran superbly despite not being used for the last month however whenever I used the indicators, in unison with the green signal indicator, the red charging warning light flashed on and off. When I pulled up on the drive I turned off both the headlamps and driving lamps but still when the indicators were switched on the charging warning light flashed. Any clues as to what this might be? Cheers.
Are you sure the green indicator light on the dash is not shining through to the red charging light?
I would just test the charging system with a volt meter when the engine is running to see if there is sufficient charge. You should get around 14.5v with the engine running. If so I wouldn't worry about it too much, especially if all indicators on the outside are working. Possibly a bad earth on one or more light/indicator unit. After all it is a TVR, not a Bentley.
Tony. TCB.
I would just test the charging system with a volt meter when the engine is running to see if there is sufficient charge. You should get around 14.5v with the engine running. If so I wouldn't worry about it too much, especially if all indicators on the outside are working. Possibly a bad earth on one or more light/indicator unit. After all it is a TVR, not a Bentley.
Tony. TCB.
Hi Tony, even if I use the left hand indicator the red charging light on the RHS of the dash still flashes in unison. I'll run it in the morning to check the alternator is charging okay but I'd have thought the two 55w headlamps plus two 55 watt driving lamps would have had more impact on the charging system than the two 21w indicator lamps. THE joys of TVR ownership..... Hope all is well. Cheers.
Hi Keith. Try the voltage test and if all is good, try putting the heater blower on high in the dark with the engine running, maybe together with the screen wiper. If that doesn't make the ignition light glow, then it can't be a charging problem. More likely an earth problem but may take some trial an error to detect. It could be the indicator unit bad earthing, the bulb holders or even the indicator bulbs themselves. It could even be a wrong wattage bulb in one holder or something along those lines. Don't forget the side repeaters but like I say, if all is working, I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as the charging system is good.
Tony. TCB.
Tony. TCB.
Hi Keith,
I have had a similar problem recently. What happens to the (indicated) battery voltage when you also turn the fan on full?
In my case I suspect an earth is a bit poor from the interior switches/panel back to the main earthing point (let's say the engine block.)
So I need to run it all up with lights etc on and get around with the multimeter looking for the odd half-volt drop here and there.
It seemed a lot better after I remade the earth on the LHS cylinder head a few months back, maybe it's deteriorated again or got loose.
I have had a similar problem recently. What happens to the (indicated) battery voltage when you also turn the fan on full?
In my case I suspect an earth is a bit poor from the interior switches/panel back to the main earthing point (let's say the engine block.)
So I need to run it all up with lights etc on and get around with the multimeter looking for the odd half-volt drop here and there.
It seemed a lot better after I remade the earth on the LHS cylinder head a few months back, maybe it's deteriorated again or got loose.
adam quantrill said:
Hi Keith,
I have had a similar problem recently. What happens to the (indicated) battery voltage when you also turn the fan on full?
In my case I suspect an earth is a bit poor from the interior switches/panel back to the main earthing point (let's say the engine block.)
So I need to run it all up with lights etc on and get around with the multimeter looking for the odd half-volt drop here and there.
It seemed a lot better after I remade the earth on the LHS cylinder head a few months back, maybe it's deteriorated again or got loose.
99% 0f electrical problems like that relate to dodgy earth connections. I have routed all my earths directly to the Battery Neg where possible.I have had a similar problem recently. What happens to the (indicated) battery voltage when you also turn the fan on full?
In my case I suspect an earth is a bit poor from the interior switches/panel back to the main earthing point (let's say the engine block.)
So I need to run it all up with lights etc on and get around with the multimeter looking for the odd half-volt drop here and there.
It seemed a lot better after I remade the earth on the LHS cylinder head a few months back, maybe it's deteriorated again or got loose.
Right I've been investigating and I'm confused.
Alternator charging fine, battery and engine earths all good. If I put the headlights on and spot lights and fan and anything else I can switch on there's around a 1 volt drop on the dash gauge. If I put the hazard lights on again a small voltage drop. If however I use either indicator then the voltage drops in time with the indicator down to around 11 volts and the red charge light blinks in unison. What surprises me is that there is no issue with the hazards. Also if it was an individual lamp earth issue then it wouldn't be the same for both sides.
So I'm guessing it's something to do with the common supply to the indicators, maybe an earth or frayed cable issue to the relay? Anyone have any ideas before I start pulling the relay board apart? Cheers.
Alternator charging fine, battery and engine earths all good. If I put the headlights on and spot lights and fan and anything else I can switch on there's around a 1 volt drop on the dash gauge. If I put the hazard lights on again a small voltage drop. If however I use either indicator then the voltage drops in time with the indicator down to around 11 volts and the red charge light blinks in unison. What surprises me is that there is no issue with the hazards. Also if it was an individual lamp earth issue then it wouldn't be the same for both sides.
So I'm guessing it's something to do with the common supply to the indicators, maybe an earth or frayed cable issue to the relay? Anyone have any ideas before I start pulling the relay board apart? Cheers.
KKson said:
Right I've been investigating and I'm confused.
Alternator charging fine, battery and engine earths all good. If I put the headlights on and spot lights and fan and anything else I can switch on there's around a 1 volt drop on the dash gauge. If I put the hazard lights on again a small voltage drop. If however I use either indicator then the voltage drops in time with the indicator down to around 11 volts and the red charge light blinks in unison. What surprises me is that there is no issue with the hazards. Also if it was an individual lamp earth issue then it wouldn't be the same for both sides.
So I'm guessing it's something to do with the common supply to the indicators, maybe an earth or frayed cable issue to the relay? Anyone have any ideas before I start pulling the relay board apart? Cheers.
I had this problem it was a bad connection on the multi plug what supplied the dash and volt meter only happens when ignition live stuff was turned onAlternator charging fine, battery and engine earths all good. If I put the headlights on and spot lights and fan and anything else I can switch on there's around a 1 volt drop on the dash gauge. If I put the hazard lights on again a small voltage drop. If however I use either indicator then the voltage drops in time with the indicator down to around 11 volts and the red charge light blinks in unison. What surprises me is that there is no issue with the hazards. Also if it was an individual lamp earth issue then it wouldn't be the same for both sides.
So I'm guessing it's something to do with the common supply to the indicators, maybe an earth or frayed cable issue to the relay? Anyone have any ideas before I start pulling the relay board apart? Cheers.
Spent a couple of hours looking into this. Took all the multi-plugs apart under the dash, cleaned them all up with electrical contact cleaner, reassembled and no difference. Under the drivers side dash I can hear the indicator relay clicking away. As this is common to both indicator circuits I wonder if this could be drawing too much current? I think a full day is required with the multimeter. Anyone any idea what the indicator relay is off? Thanks.
No but it does click away on that side.
I started looking at mine and found half a volt drop between alternator + and battery +.
Also a half volt between the engine block and the cigar lighter earth, when the fans are turned on.
So I think when there's a log on my dash voltmeter might show poor voltage, but it's probably pessimistic. It charges the battery enough to start so not much of an issue, but I'll sort it out sometime soon.
I started looking at mine and found half a volt drop between alternator + and battery +.
Also a half volt between the engine block and the cigar lighter earth, when the fans are turned on.
So I think when there's a log on my dash voltmeter might show poor voltage, but it's probably pessimistic. It charges the battery enough to start so not much of an issue, but I'll sort it out sometime soon.
Problem solved and it was earth related. Pulled all the cables out from under the dash to find the indicator relay and traced the wiring back to a tatty earth. In addition I also cut out and replaced the dash board earth and also soldered new connectors on three ancillary earths that were direct to the battery. Voltage drop with indicators is now around half a volt on the gauge.
Only other issue is the driving lamps aren't working. They were aftermarket fitted. The relay (mounted above the steering column!) is clicking but no power and the fuse is not in the fuse board so guessing it's somewhere tucked in line under the dash. Grrr.
Only other issue is the driving lamps aren't working. They were aftermarket fitted. The relay (mounted above the steering column!) is clicking but no power and the fuse is not in the fuse board so guessing it's somewhere tucked in line under the dash. Grrr.
adam quantrill said:
Interesting - what did it look like? A bunch of wires going into a washer-type terminal thingy? Was it soldered or just crimped?
All the black earth leads came together in one nasty soldered mess behind the speedo dashboard (SEAC style on mine remember). From this lump of wires there were three black leads leading off, one bolted to the dash bracket just by the courtesy light, one drilled and self tapered into the steering column support and a third that disappeared into the bowels of the dashboard. I re-soldered the horrible lump and soldered new ring connectors to the other wires I could see. There were three wires also direct to the battery earth, again with nasty worn connectors, as well as the large main engine earth connector so soldered all three together and then soldered into a large ring connector that fits the battery lug bolt. Voltage drop with the indicators working reduced from over 2 volts to around a half a volt. I might also see if I can get some suitable LED's for the indicators, although I've heard that they are not always suitable for indicator use?Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff