Thank you for your reply and insight!!!. I found that the problem was in the
wiring between the ignition switch and the lamp. I was still a little confused
until I found that the voltage comes from the ignition switch through the lamp
and makes it ground in the alternator. Also I finally found the ballast
resistor
after all these years, form info from the mailing list.
Thanks again Dave Simpson orginal owner
At 06:47 PM 3/29/97 -0800, Charlie Brown wrote:
>david r simpson wrote:
>>
>> I have just replace the alernator on a 1976 spitfire, after a couple of
>> years of non-use. Now the ignition warning light only comes on when the
>> alterntor is putting out 14 volts, it is off with the ignition on and the
>> car not running and then comes on after the car is running. I assume that
>> the signal for the light comes from the small brown & yellow wire from the
>> voltage regulator inside the alternator. Any thoughts or good trouble
>> shooting manual that explain how these system work. Tanks Dave Simpson
>>
>> 61TR3
>> 76 Spitfire
>> 91 Ford Explorer
>> British Sea Kayak
>
>David,
>
>The indicator light only comes on when there's an voltage imbalance
>(different potentials at the bulb terminals) between what the alternator
>puts out and what's available to the harness. Yes, the brown/yellow wire
>from the alternator connection goes to the IGN bulb in the speedo. The
>Lucas regulator is set to limit voltage between 13.5 and 14.2 volts. What
>you describe indicates there's more voltage available from the alternator
>than there's available from the harness--a really unusual situation.
>Check the voltage between the battery terminals, with the engine running,
>and no accessories on. You should have a voltage reading within the
>13.5-14.2 range. If that voltage is correct, the alternator is
>charging--your problem is in the harness; i.e. high resistance between
>the battery and the IGN bulb.
>
>A good digital VOM is helpful here.
>
>Charlie B.
>
>
>
>
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