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Red Light on Speedo?

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:58 am
by Skelly65
Hello all I have a red light on my speedometer which will not go out, I am assuming its an oil pressure light? if it is why does it stay on oil is fine apart from slight leak around bottom pulley at front of engine could this cause this?

Any help gratefully appreciated ( I am new to all this )

Dave

Re: Red Light on Speedo?

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:16 pm
by charlie_morris_minor
red i think is your ignition..(bottom right on a black faced speedo) means that your battery is not charging, is your fan belt tight? if yes, clean up the contacts and if it is still on it might be tie to replace the bushes / replace the dyanamo / alternator.

Re: Red Light on Speedo?

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:56 pm
by bmcecosse
It should indeed be the dynamo (not) charging warning - but of course sometimes the lights get put back in the wrong place on the speedo! Out of interest - how do know your 'oil' is fine' ? If it was/is the oil pressure warning light (which should be orange) - you should switch off the engine immediately - not just keep going and hope 'the oil is fine' !!!!!!!

Re: Red Light on Speedo?

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:25 pm
by billlobban
I had the problem Roy mentions - the lights were switched round. When you turn on the ignition you should have 2 lights I red and 1 orange they should both go out when you start up. The boton right (red) as charlie says is ignition. The one just above (orange) is oil pressure. You should not run the engine with the oil light on - but investigate further

Re: Red Light on Speedo?

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:49 pm
by Skelly65
Gents thanks for all the advice I have had another look at the speedo (its a white faced one allegedly 1962) the red light has ignition written underneath it and is on the RHS and the on the LHS is a green light which has Oil written underneath it (should of worn me glasses earlier) I have changed the battery already as a matter of course due to its age and the fact the casing was coming away form the top and she would not start after a ten mile run without a jump start! So think it could be the dynamo how easy is it to change to an alternator is my next question and would I have to change from positive earth to do this Sorry for sounding thick but I am a relavtive newbie to all this

Thanks Again

Dave

Re: Red Light on Speedo?

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 6:48 pm
by bmcecosse
Sure you haven't connected the new battery wrong way round ??

Re: Red Light on Speedo?

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:03 pm
by Skelly65
LOL no checked that first of all my eye sight is bad but not that bad Oh and it was lit before I changed the battery

Re: Red Light on Speedo?

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:43 pm
by PSL184
To fit an alternator you have to change to neg earth. Here is the wiring diagram for an alternator...
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It is, however, much easier to replace the brushes in your existing dynamo.....