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Red ignition light permanently ON - New Battery & Altern

Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:38 pm
by Purbeckfossil
I have recently purchased my Moggy with an alternator conversion. The battery has been running down every week so I decided to get a new alternator and battery cos I was feeling a bit flush. On doing a straight swap, the red ignition light is glowing bright. I have checked the earth and belt tension . The connector on the back of the alternator is a 3-pin plug that disappears into the loom.

I then went back to the original alternator and discovered that it too is permanently on, although nowhere near as bright (I obviously missed this in sunlight up to now).

My thoughts are that it might be the wiring. Any fault finding recommendation would be appreciated. Is it possible to wire the alternator afresh and if so, how?

Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:44 pm
by bmcecosse
Is the battery connected right way round ? Must be (except for very rare early installations) negative earth. ie The -ve pole of the battery is connected to the strap that will be bolted to the body of the car.

Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:53 pm
by davesmith
it is possible to wire the alternator in a different way esm do a kit
http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... d7ce2455d6 the two large cables are connected direct to the starter solenoid and the thin wire connects into the cars loom

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:49 am
by bmcecosse
That's not a 'different way' - that's how it must be done ! But the thin wire going 'into the loom' is not much help! It has to connect to the red light - other side of which goes to Ign +ve.

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:53 am
by davesmith
there is another way that goes into thew origanal loom i cant remember all of it you have to re connect the wires on the Regulator Box in a different way

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:14 pm
by bmcecosse
While the regulator box can be used as a handy wiring connector unit - it's certainly not used to control the alternator - and if the original Dynamo 'Field' wire is not isolated it could affect the operation of the alternator.

Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:28 am
by Purbeckfossil
Thanks for the info, Chaps. It is negative earth so will re-check everything and then go for a fresh wire-up.