In a message dated 96-03-30 21:18:57 EST, you write:
>Here's the problem:
>
>When I start the car, the ammeter shows a discharge, and the idiot light
>lights. This does not go away simply by revving the engine to 2 or 3
>thousand rpms. However, if I want to (approximately) red line the engine
>for about 3 seconds, the situation does in fact go away, and the system does
>charge from then on - however, I am not getting enough charge to keep the
>battery charged if I have the lights, heater, and radio on.
I'm not fully clear on some of what your problm,e is, but from what you ahve
written, I assume the follwoing:
1. The ammeter does nor charge until the car has been red-lined for a
while--in other words, teh ammeter and ignituioin warning light show the same
things.
2. Once the generator has been red-lined for a while, everything
operatiores OK--that is the car charges at lower engine RPM. Is this
correct?
3. You car goes into discharge when you put the lights on.
Assuming all these things, I would suggest you take a good hard look at
your generator. Throw an ammeter in series between the generator and
regulator terminal D.Start the car and see what happens. You should be
getting a charge indication. If not check the fan belt--is it too loose? If
the fan belt is OK but you not getting a charge indication with the lights
on, your generator needs attention.
The problem of the generator not charging unless the car is run at high
RPMs suggests to me that the regulator is out of adjustment--ie is not
cutting the genrator in quickly enough--or teh battery needs to be examined.
As far as the regulator is concerned, the manual outlines how to check it
out. I have never done it that way, preferring the time honored method of
substituting a known good regulator and tehn buying a new one. Before you do
this, check the connection at regulator terminal D and at terminal A
(battery). .
Next, check the battery terminal on the solenoid, and the battery posts
themselves. Then check the battery, it may not be taking a full charge.
Finally, be advised that you may have problems with the generator, the
regulator and the battery. -- John Trifari 1955 Healey BN1/1980 MGB ex
owner of 61 MGA with MGB engine and OD
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