Battery light stays on

[willvine]

G,day I moved my 88 rangie this morning and when i switched the ignition off I noticed the battery light on the dash was still on.

What could this mean? I checked all connections and batterys have full charge. Things i have done to the car recently that could be related are:
1: fitted a dual battery system
2: driving lights
3: rear auxilly sockett for fridge
4: 2 inch lift
5: new sterio and speakers



I noticed the Alternator was very hot only after running the car for a few mintues so i switched of the isolator and the the light went out I checked the alternator later and it had cooled down.

Any ideas please as to where else to look.

cheers
Will

[400HPONGAS]

definately the 2 " lift Kit did it !!!
altered the level of electrolyte in the battery sending a residual current to the Tacho phase tapping wire therefore sending a charge into the field sensor wire .Obviously no longer firing the bridge rectifier causing the Zener diodes to turn into a Triode ! WHADDAYARECKON !!! LMFAO
PS hows that battery isolator wired , this "switched off the isolator" bothers me !!!

[bee utey]

PS hows that battery isolator wired , this "switched off the isolator" bothers me !!!


Yer onto something here, the isolator must be back feeding the ignition/charge light circuits. Did you wire it to the charge light connection on the alternator perhaps? I thought it would be wired to the ignition switch output under the dash, so as the isolator doesn't overload the circuit. Get a pro sparky to have a look at how it is wired maybe.

[willvine]

Oknow guys very funny about the lift kit. i just thought i would fill ya in on all the things i have done to give a clear picture. one more thing i may add is i have also fitted a cb radio.

Any how i am thinking since i have added all the extra accesories the alternator was struggling and the rectifyer has packed it in, as the light goes off when driving then comes on when switched off also maybe the hot weather may have somting to do with it too.

I am actually a sparkie ( not a auto electrictian) and have fitted the same dual battery systm to 3 of my other cars and never had a problem b4

i have fitted a marine grade battery isolator with batt 1, batt 2 or 1 and 2 together and off same as in other trucks. hence this is where i can completly isolate the 2 batteries. i have a 70 amp alternator so me thinks its just too small and its just had its day. but open to other suggestions.

Since this morning i have had time to play with the car and geting no voltage from the alternator but will take it to a auto sparkie to be sure on monday .


What gets me is why has the car been fine for a few weeks then now packs it in?

suggestions please.
Will.

[willvine]

Ok had some time to pull the alternator out and test the diodes. They all seem fine. Then I pulled the alternator apart for a clean and degrese and then put it back in the car. Now the light does not come on, great ? i have fixed it i think. but now the battery light is now on when the engine is running and off when switched off the complete opposite :(. i am now leaning towards the voltage regulator as i think the alternator may be over charging the battery?

Does any one know how to test the regulator or what else it could be?

Cheers
Will.

[justinc]

Will,

it has been my experience in this case that the rectifier is faulty, specifically an exciter diode as it will stay on when ignition is off. The change in symptom after a cleanout could still mean a rectifier fault unfortunately.

Sometimes this is too costly to repair and another alternator is the cheaper alternative.

JC

[400HPONGAS]

:
"What gets me is why has the car been fine for a few weeks then now packs it in?"
Perhaps with those real old school Col Herse switches , maybe , just maybe , the switch passed through the NO battery position while the engine/altenator was running . That will do to your altenatot exactly what you are experiencing , thats if you are indeed switching Positives

[willvine]

:
"What gets me is why has the car been fine for a few weeks then now packs it in?"
Perhaps with those real old school Col Herse switches , maybe , just maybe , the switch passed through the NO battery position while the engine/altenator was running . That will do to your altenatot exactly what you are experiencing , thats if you are indeed switching Positives

Arhhh, you may be on to something there, i think i may have done just that maybe. Taking car to Auto sparkie soon, Will pull out switch and fit a red arc batt controller. i just liked the idea of completly isolating both batteries as i don't drive it much maybe once a month.

Thanks to everyone.

cheers
Will.