battery light

[adh383]

why would my battery light be on when the switch is off?

[Indiana]

What is your setup? When you say switch, are you talkng about the key or a disconnect? It sounds like you have a short or somethng may be back feeding.

[adh383]

The key switch----when i start the engine--it goes off. with key out it stays on all the time. also--- when i take the small wire off the alt. it goes out.

[Scotty_S-15]

maybe diodes in alternator? probably cheaper to get a rebuilt, unless it has sentimental value... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif then rebuilding it ain\'t a bad idea.

[adh383]

the alternator is new.

[Indiana]

Ne w can be bad as well. Have you changed anything else, had a fuse blow, or jumped started someone?

[Scotty_S-15]

OK, here is what I know: (at least what I THINK I know)http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

* The field wire comes from ign. switch, goes thru the indicator light, and then to the field connection (small wire) on the alternator.

* If the ignition switch is NG, the light might glow, and eventually, battery will go dead. Juice gotta be flowing somewhere for that light to glow.

* If you say \"no way, switch can\'t be bad, everything else shuts off...\" well, methinks there is a separate contact in the switch assy. for the alt. field wire.

* Or, (most likely scenario) you\'ve got a (that) wire touching where it shouldn\'t, or hooked up where it shouldn\'t.

* I mentioned the diode earlier, now that I think about it, that probably would not be the problem.



BTW, I agree with Indiana, just \'cause it\'s new doesn\'t mean sh*t to me. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[adh383]

My volt gauge is workin properly--- when i unplug the black wire from the alt. the light goes out----- with engine off--- when i crank the engine-it goes out properly- i can just pull the bulb out-but i want to know what is causing this s--t. lol

[MOREPOWER]

Check at the alternator when u pull the wire off use a test light see if it lights up. Put one end on positive power and probe the alternator if it doesn\'t go on. Then u have bare wire in thier somewhere. If it does light up then the alternator could be bad. Myself i don\'t belive and rebuilt alternators just buy a new one with a 5 year warrenty!

[spacecadet]

Sounds like there a diode sticking inside the alt. THe light is on because the alt is back feeding your electircal system thru the wire attached eventually to the light. Basicly the alt thinks that it should still be working and is sending a signal back to the light to inform you that it isn\'t charging like its supposed to.



Overall sounds like the alt is the problem.

Either that or feed the mice init and they\'ll start running again! http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

Space.