Ignition light glowing dimly with a load e.g. headlights is usually a
symptom of one or more of the diodes in the alternator having failed. Some
diodes affect charging more than others. A 1970 model should have an
internal regulator, not the external. When the electrical system is
operating correctly should should have about 14v both sides of the ignition
warning lamp - and hence no glow - when the engine is running off idle. You
could have a bad connection in the charging circuit or the ignition circuit,
you will have to use a voltmeter starting from each side of the warning
lamp.
Fitting a diode in the indicator lead to cure this is absolutely stupid -
all you are doing is stopping your alternator telling you when it has failed
completely, it would be far simpler to remove the light altogether. But the
preferred option is to fix the real problem.
PaulH.
-----Original Message-----
From: K. Johnson <buffymgb@ria.net>
To: MG's <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: 08 February 1999 21:38
Subject: Alternator light
>Hope somebody can help me with this...I'm sure it's been gone over before
>but I've missed it.
>
> I have a '70B and the alternator light comes on whenever I turn more than
>one thing on, i.e. headlights and turn signal. It's dim enough that you
>can't see it during the day, only at night, but gets brighter the more
>things you turn on. Thinking it was the alternator, I replaced that, but
it
>still does the same thing. It has a brand new battery in it so it
shouldn't
>be that. Someone said it was the voltage stabilizer....I'm game for that,
>but I don't know where it's located to check it or replace it.
>
>I'm up for any suggestions...
>TIA
>
>Kathy
>'70B
>'71 Beetle
>'50 GMC P/U
>
>
>
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