Charging...

Post by **pfgiz** » Sat May 02, 2009 6:56 pm

It's the end of a long day. I've changed the head, rad and got my saloon working again. Two issues I have are, one tail light, not really an issue I'll change it and the charge light. It stays on. If I rev the car it goes out and stays out, but I have to rev it first.....

I'd read up about it but it's the last thing to sort on a very long day so any help....

Post by **mike.perry** » Sat May 02, 2009 9:06 pm

If the headlights brighten when you rev the engine then the control box is probably just a bit sticky. My control box occasionally has it's moments. Fitting an ammeter helps to see what is happening

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat May 02, 2009 10:22 pm

the charge light. It stays on. If I rev the car it goes out and stays out, but I have to rev it first.....

Dynamo or Alternator? This is fairly common with older Alternators as they need more oomph before they energise, but aftewrwards are fine.

If it's the dynamo - it should only flicker/light up the charge light at low revs and not need much higher revs to go out. The control box "shouldn't" behave any different at start up to any other time, but with anything that old, problems are possible.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 02, 2009 11:41 pm

As long as it goes out - and the headlights get 'brighter' - then nothing to worry about. Check the fan belt is tight - but not too tight.

Post by **pfgiz** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:06 pm

Problem solved, with a new(ish) voltage regulator, eBay for £7.11, and a swap of the Dynamo. Time to overhall my spare.....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:32 pm

Hmmm - you swapped two things - so no knowing which is faulty! But at least it's fixed which is the main thing. Well done !

Post by **pfgiz** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:38 pm

I checked between the regulator and the dynamo so I know it was the dynamo causing the issues, but a spare regulator for £7 is not to be sniffed at.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:39 pm

Indeed - likely the dynamo will just need new brushes. Cheap and easy to do!

Post by **pfgiz** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:40 pm

That's what I'm hoping. More spares to fill my shed...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:44 pm

Can't have too many spares !