Ignition warning light
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi

I know this has been covered before and normally solved by replacing the alternator. However, I have tried all the suggested fixes (including changing the alternator) and still have the same problem where the ignition/charging light stays on when engine running. The light illuminates ok when ignition turned on. The only thing I haven't tried which has previously been mentioned is ensuring there is a sufficient earth. I assume the earth talked about will be the main earth strap from engine to body which I have, is there another earth I have missed? Also does the lead from the alternator with the small connector on it feed directly to the warning light?

Thanks
Rich

Hi,
Does the light stay on with the alternator plug removed?
Don't do this with the engine running. Pull the plug, switch on ignition, let us know...
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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Cant resist saying this so sorry in advance! TAKE THE BULB OUT!
Shane.

NOOOOOOO

Dont take the bulb out, you will stop all charge happening

Can you show us pictures of the plug in the alternator and the back of the speedo?

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

Hi Paul

Plug in the alternator is the 3 spade connector type (2 big, 1 small) so can only fit one way and this branches off the main wiring loom. I don't have the original speedo but the small connector from alternator goes to 1 spade on an led and the other terminal on the led connects to the voltage stabilizer??? Is this correct??

Thanks
Rich

No! There should be positive feed from the alternator and the other spade goes to earth. ( Atleast thats how mine is)

Paul

I seriously doubt it!

Hi,
An LED won't work as a charge light, it needs to be a bulb.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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Rich,

What type of alternator have you got, is it the usual Lucas variety?

Regards

Neil

Hi

Sorry when i said LED it is actually a bulb. Previous posts i have seen regarding connections for the ignition light indicate a feed from alternator and then a positive feed, not earth http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=169861 so i'm now confused??? The alternator is a lucas a127-55.

Cheers
Rich

Hi,
It goes ignition feed > warning light > alternator.
Is the light still on with the plug pulled out?
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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Gavin

Will go and try in a minute. Do you mean with engine off or running?

Rich

Rich,

the bulb should be connected to the wire coming from the small connection on the alternator (brown/yellow wire iirc) and an ignition controlled live which will be a plain white wire behind the dash. Check the bulb rating too, it should be 12v and something between 1 and 2 watts.
Regards

Neil

Hi,
Ignition on only.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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Hi Neil

That's exactly how i have it connected at the moment except the white ignition feed goes to the voltage stabilizer where i have then taken a feed off to the warning light. I know the light works ok as it worked on my previous engine. I'm wondering whether to bypass the voltage stabilizer, could this be causing problems?

Rich

Rich,
As long as the feed off the stabilizer is connected onto the same terminal as the white ign feed to it you're effectively just using the stabilizer to join the two wires together and that's fine.
Have you got a voltmeter?
Regards

Neil

Mine has never worked since fitting the dihatsu alternator, but it does stop charging if i take out the bulb

are you telling me that when its not spining the ignition light connection on the alterator acts as an earth, letting it light up.

and when its working the 12v stops this and it doesnt light up?????

So do i just connect a 12v supply to one side of my bulb and the other side to the alternator????


(sorry this has been baffling me since 2004)

Not sure what the Haynes manual says but yes, ignition feed to one side of the bulb and the other side to alternator.

Nic,

That's how it works on the Lucas units, not sure for the Dihatsu's though. Have you got a part / model number for it, I'm sure I can find out.

Regards

Neil

so the dash light is in effect earthed through the (live) alt. out?

so once running, the volts become equal either side it goes out?

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Hi,
Yup, that's it!
The ignition live going through the warning light excites the alternator to get it charging, once charging you have the same voltage either side of the bulb as you stated.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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If the 12V feed is coming from the regulated side of the regulator I assume the alt will not turn on properly - hence the light not go out?

slighty off topic, but if your were to put a switch on the ign live wire to the bulb, would that effectivly give you an alternator that you could "switch off" to gaining a couple more horses?

or would it stay "excited"?

Hi,

Graemec .. If you feed it from the regulated output I'd wouldn't have thought so....
Anton .. Once excited it keeps going. It will usually self excite with no warning light once past 3500rpm too.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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