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5/01/2018 1:51 PM  #1


Alternator warning light stays on

1965 with stock alternator and wiring, solid state regulator. Voltage gauge shows a steady +/- 14v

System was working when I put it to bed last fall.  When I woke the beast yesterday, the light came on.  If the battery is bad / weak, would the light come on?

As always, your help is appreciated.

 

5/02/2018 1:14 AM  #2


Re: Alternator warning light stays on

hello , the lights will survive until the battery fall down  , because someting has happened and prolly you have a damaged or weak alternator or worne regulator ( best option ) 

where you read this 14 v ?  At the battery with engine run  with a voltmeter ? 
 If yes you have a problem on voltage regulator , you should have  1,5 volts more on 12 volts battery .
voltage regoulator job is to give always the same amount of juice , 14 is too much 13 is not enough 
If you ride a lot of time  you will discharge battery completely until lilghts will not work , than  the car will die without any juice.
Or you can have one of three " points " of altrenator damaged , still make some volts but gonna broke easy

 

5/02/2018 2:28 AM  #3


Re: Alternator warning light stays on

I am curious... How long do you let the car sit without starting it? A car sitting for long periods is never a good thing.
 


1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
 

5/02/2018 6:29 AM  #4


Re: Alternator warning light stays on

My volt meter often reads 14.1 volt right after starting the car.  Soon afterwards it drops to 13.3 - 13.8 volts (varies).  A temporary reading of 14 volts is okay when the system is charging.


1968 T-code Coupe with a 302.  Nice car, no show stopper for sure, but I like it.
 

5/02/2018 8:24 AM  #5


Re: Alternator warning light stays on

if your alternator is working, you should also be able to disconnect the battery after the car starts, and the car should keep running.. if thats the case, the voltage regulator is what drives that ALT light. There is either a loose connection, or a bad regulator. There isnt much in that circuitry
 


If it aint broke, I have'nt tried to "Fix" it yet!
 

5/06/2018 7:02 PM  #6


Re: Alternator warning light stays on

With the car running and you measure +14 to 14.3vDC, the alternator is charging the battery.  As another post indicated, this should drop to the 13.8vDC, or so, within a few minutes.
I'm not sure how the alternator light is powered on the solid-state regulator, but I'd start with the wiring, make sure connections are all tight and clean.  If that doesn't work I'd look into the regulator.


65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
 

5/07/2018 7:51 AM  #7


Re: Alternator warning light stays on

You might not want to unhook the battery with the car running. A lot of older cars, Fords included used regulators that made the alternator see that disconnect as an infinite load and the rectifiers (diodes) in the alternators do not like that!

 

Board footera


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