Red Ignition Light

Post by **MarksMinor** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:39 pm

Can anyone tell me why the red light on the speedo stays on when the car is running.
I know its supposed to go out when engine is started, but when I started her up this morn the light didnt go out.
She was ok on Saturday when I MOTd her.
Will this cause me any problems?
What might have caused this to happen?
And how do I go about fixing it.
ps She has been stood out in the rain these last few days, would this have had any effect?
All help will be gladly taken on board.
Mark & "Aunty Mable"

Post by **Cam** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:00 pm

Possibly (if the dynamo brushes are a bit worn) it could be light corrosion on the commutator causing the dynamo not to charge. Either that or possibly a sticking contact in the regulator.

To fix it, I'd remove the dynamo and have a look at the brushes to see if they are worn. If you have a manual, the procedure is detailed there.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:07 pm

Try giving the dynamo a bump with a hammer to free off the brushes. Then organise some new brushes asap! I assume the fan belt is snug ?

Post by **Willie** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:44 pm

Follow above advice but be warned that if the red light is staying on all the
time your battery is not being charged and the car will grind to a halt pretty
quickly.

Post by **MarksMinor** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:37 pm

The state of play so far, re red light on speedo.
I removed the dynamo, checked the brushes(which are really good) and cleaned the commuter, put it all back together and still the light stays on.
The regulator box was new and fitted approx 6 months ago.
Any other ideas as to what the problem might be.
Cam did you mean the weather might possibly be to blame?
HELP!
Mark & "Aunty Mable"

Post by **Cam** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:45 pm

Yes, I meant that the damp weather might have introduced just enough corrosion to cause a problem, but only if the brushes are very worn and intermittantly in contact. Seems that's not the case for you.

Have you checked the voltages at the dynamo/control box? You should have 12v ish on the 'F' terminal on the control box and at the small dynamo connector. If you have and there is no voltage (or very little) at the large dynamo connection (and the 'D' connection on the control box) then the dynamo is suspect. If you have no voltage at the 'F' connection, then check the contacts to the regulator box, especially the earth and the brown wires + terminals A and A1.

Check and let us know.

Post by **MarksMinor** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:32 pm

Hello Again everyone,
I was talking to a bloke today who told me to strike an arc on the small connection a few times using the small terminal on the dynamo.
He said if it sparks then the dynamo is charging ok, and it must be the cutout on the regulator that causes the red ignition light to stay on.
Anyone got any thoughts on adjusting this so the light goes out.
Should it even be adjusted??
Mark &"Aunty Mable"

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:08 pm

only adjust the regulator if you know what you are doing.
i would buy another if that is a problem, although they do seem to be reliable. i have not had to change one and i am sure the ones that have been on my pick ups and vans have been on a fair time

Post by **MarksMinor** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:22 pm

Finally took "Aunty Mable" to an auto spark today and he is gonna put a new armature in the dynamo. Hopefully that will cure the problem.
Thanks for all your help.
"Mark & "Aunty Mable"

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:55 am

New armature ? Highly unlikely to be the problem unless it has been run with badly worn brushes. Hope you got a quote first - because dynamos are very inexpensive - last one I got was £1 - and it came with new spare brushes!

Post by **JustinMinor1000** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:50 am

If you come to Henley I'll give you a late lone in very good nick ..