Charging Problem

Check warning bulb?

Stuart

Try:- The fuses. The connections on the back of the alternator may be loose. The bulb may have blown. The connection between the alternator & the bulb may be bad & make sure it's not shorting to earth. This destroys the regulator if you're unlucky.

Also, check the battery voltage with the engine running, it should be about 13.8 volts as a minimum. 12 point summat with the engine stopped.

After these, it gets expensive. :-(

If the warning light bulb has blown or the wiring to it faulty - no charge as it 'excites' the field winding from the battery to get the alternator started charging. In other words it's an essential part of the regulator circuit.

On or around Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:26:02 +0000, John Williamson enlightened us thusly:

The only other thing is the alternator itself.

You can cheat with all those other checks, by identifying the wire on the back of the alternator (it's the small one that isn't connected to a terminal called "W", if you have more than 1 small one) which should have battery voltage on it, more or less, with the ignition on and the engine stopped.

The circuit runs from battery +, through the ignition switch, to the warning light, from there to the alternator.

And if you disconnect said wire from alternator and earth it, then with the ignition on the dashboard alternator warning light should light up.

On or around Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:58:07 +1300, EMB enlightened us thusly:

good point. proves the circuit works, and if it does, it's the alternator (or more likely the regulator) that's at fault.

Thanks for usefull responses, in particular had not realised integrity of indicator lamp circuit was essential to charging. Will have a look at it at the weekend.

Gerald