red ignition light stays on

Post by **docgibbons** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:31 pm

turned off the engine today, and the red ignition light stayed on. the battery was flat also. not quite sure why the light stayed on though.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:05 pm

Obviously not completely flat - or the light wouldn't glow! If it's a dynamo then probably the voltage regulator has 'stuck in'. This will flatten the battery in ultra quick order - and may burn out the dynamo too because it's trying to run as a motor - but can't turn !! Is this after the 'garage' had fixed your loose wire problem ?? Whatever the casue - disconnect the battery right away!

Post by **docgibbons** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:10 pm

thanks. yes, this happened after the garage had fixed the loose wire. i disconnected the battery, and then put it on charge. any ideas what to do now? maybe i need a new dynamo? anyway, will see if it's okay after overnight charging.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:18 pm

I would worry about the 'garage' and the 'fixing'. Where was this loose wire ? Open up the voltage regulator - and check the little relays are free to move - one may be 'welded' in constant contact.

Post by **Dominic** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:59 pm

the red ignition light stayed on

I had just that fault occurring, one of the regulator contacts had welded itself together, and then melted so that the neatly welded part had fallen off! A new regulator box cured the problem. I think it was initially caused by a faulty dynamo that I tested as a spare! (needless to say - it was consigned to the scrapheap!

Post by **minor_hickup** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:26 pm

I have a good working spare if you want it for the cost of postage?

Post by **flying** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:20 am

also if the settings are not right on them that can not push the contact lever back off also they can also cause the battery not to charge properly if they are not connected while in use ,but they are in use all the time and they tend to burn out and stick after years of use......i used to have one on my mini i say used to.....it wound me up so much i got tried of constantly opening the bonnet just to get it to disconnect so it took it out & rewired it & converted it to use a alternator

Post by **docgibbons** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:16 am

hi, thanks for the input. although there was a new fuse added under the dashboard ( a modern blade type) when i had electric window washers and a cigar light fitted, the fault was in the box behind the original two fuse area on the chassis in the engine, with a wire having come loose apparently. is this the regulator box? anyway, i charged it overnight, and this morning the red light had gone, it started first time, and when i switched off again, no red light, so it appears normal again. this is the second time this has happened after a trip to the garage (first time just for a normal MOT) and both times corrected with an overnight charge.

TO MINOR HICCUP. Is your working spare a regulator box? If this is what I need if this problem recurs, then yes, that's a kind offer. thanks.
sorry, as you can see I'm a bit of a dumbo when it comes to this kind of thing. wizard at changing a spark plug, and, er, that's it.

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:40 pm

The reg box is big one opposite your right hand when you're driving - through the bulkhead, obviously. IE, the top left corner of the bulkhead when you look from the front of the car.

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:43 pm

Perhaps a mod should move this to the Electrical section?

Post by **minor_hickup** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:39 pm

doc, I'll try and send it Monday and let you know how much the postage is? How does that sound? Oh and I'll need your address if you want to PM it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:09 pm

Or just decide now to convert to alternator! And i would be looking for a different garage - it all seems to go wrong after your visits there!

Post by **docgibbons** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:01 am

minor_hickup wrote:doc, I'll try and send it Monday and let you know how much the postage is? How does that sound? Oh and I'll need your address if you want to PM it.

that's really good of you. you can send it to ******************, and i will obviously refund the postage.

Post by **Welung666** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:24 am

Errr Mod please

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:22 pm

Errrrrr, Lee, ta!

Post by **Welung666** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:39 pm

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:16 pm

I've PMd the address, btw

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:59 pm

Best to keep personal info off this very public forum! Always send info like that via PM.

Post by **Welung666** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:01 pm

Hence my errr message

Post by **minor_hickup** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:18 pm

PM recieved, crisis overted