Philip Hubbard wrote:
>
> ... Mechanic put the meter back on and told me to touch the wire to
> the solenoid. Noticeable drop in revs as if a load was being put on the
> engine when there was none before. The mechanic said it didn't look like
> there was enough juice to kick over the alternator though.
An alternator will charge even a 'flat' battery. The fact that the engine
slowed as
you touched the wire on was proof that the alternator was then supplying a
load, i.e. probably charging the battery. He may well not have seen 14v (if
that is
what he was looking for) because there is a limit to how much current an
alternator
will supply and hence how quickly the battery voltage will rise.
> ... Well, turn the
> key - light comes on. Start the engine - light goes out in just a few
> seconds. Seems that the light is working! Yeehaw!!! Is this any reliable
> indication that the charging system is working also?
It's usually a pretty reliable indication, but because of your problems it
would be
best to check the voltage at the battery terminals with a meter. You should
see about
14v at fast idle, on a reasonably charged battery, with no extraneous loads
e.g.
lights.
PaulH.
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