It's bust. They can fade away, or go all at once. With minimal load they
should output about 14.5v at a fast idle. With normal factory loads it
should still be 13v or better. The dim glow indicates either a diode fault
or regulator fault in the alternator or possibly bad connections between it,
the solenoid and the fusebox etc. Check the charging voltages again on the
alternator itself, the battery, and the fusebox. If they are all within
0.5v of each other or less then the connections are probably OK, and if
still low then it is the alt. You don't need an ammeter, the voltage is the
critical thing.
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric J Russell" <ejrussell@mebtel.net>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 9:33 PM
Subject: '78 MGB alternator charging?
> I am wondering if the alternator can slowly retire or is it all or none?
> With any load applied
> (headlights, heater blower motor) the volt meter is reading 12.7 - 12.9V
at
> an engine speed over 2500 rpm. Idle shows ~ 12.3V. With lights, etc OFF,
the
> meter shows 13.1 - 13.3V.
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