Hi Guy's,
Question for you;
I've just wired up my dash and plugged it into the main loom. Everthing is working as it should bar the Alt light. When the ignition is off the
light comes on. As soon as you turn the key to on, the light goes out. I've double checked my loom to the haynes manual and I'm missing the,
I have no idea what its called, bit between the alternator and instrument cluster.
Any idea what that is and where abouts in the loom it is and can I buy/scrappy one?
This is really bugging me,
Cheers
Chris
Its a diode so that current can only pass one way. Hence why your light is coming on at the wrong times.
Other than that, I cant help much. Someone will know where it is in the loom though.
David
Depends on the type of alternator you have fitted, some need the diode, some don't. Hence the choice of link or diode in the diagram.
Cheers John
I'm thinking I've got the alt that needs the diode. Any idea's as to what type of diode and can I get them from Maplans?
Cheers
Chris
The dash light should connect to terminal 61 on the alternator and via the ignition switch to battery positive. It should not have a live feed at
either end with the ignition switch off, diode or not.
In the posted diagram there is no live feed to the instrument panel with the ignition off and the light is between terminals 7 & 8. With the
ignition on, live feed is in through 7, through the light and out through 8 to the alternator where it runs through the rotor windings to earth thus
completing the circuit. A diode won't help, it must be wired wrong.
hmmm, tricky. The light is correctly wired to the alt plug, as it uses a common live feed and the other lights work perfectly. The only thing I can
think of now is that somewhere near or in the alternator there is a spurious permament live feed from the alternator up the blue wire, thus when the
ignition is on the two feeds equal and cancel each other out (hence the light turning off).
Will have another closer look at the alternator and its wiring tomorrow. Just out of pure chance, the alternators off an escort and I'm running
sierra loom. Any chance that might have something to do with it?
Cheers for all the help, keep them ideas coming!
Chris
hmmm anyone recommend a good supplier of alternators (cheap?)
Had this problem on a Fiesta and traced to faulty alternator. Bought a reconditioned one.
Regards,
Tri
Wouldn't that be a short circuit? Have you got a good earth on your instrument panel?
[Edited on 2/2/06 by Peteff]
The lamp earths via the alternator Pete.
If youve got a multimeter or test lamp take the connection off of the alternator and check that your getting 12v when you switch on the ignition if
not your wiring is incorrect, if you are you probably need the diode, Maplin part No QL73Q or similar will do it cut the wire and solder the diode in
WITH THE WHITE END NEAREST THE ALTERNATOR insulate it up and off you go.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Bob
I wired mine up using Sierra dials. What I mean is if it's fed via the dash and receives a live feed from the other end it is then a short circuit. I find earths are usually the culprit when faults like this show up, if he hasn't then something else may be earthing via the ignition light.
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
I wired mine up using Sierra dials. What I mean is if it's fed via the dash and receives a live feed from the other end it is then a short circuit. I find earths are usually the culprit when faults like this show up, if he hasn't then something else may be earthing via the ignition light.
I agree with that, many a times I've come across a wire that changes colour mid loom.
Will try the 12v test tomorrow, got a feeling that I need the diode as all the switched earth lights (oil, park/brake and alt) are feed of a common
live and all of them work bar the alt light. Will also look into why there is a 12v feed coming from the alternator.... hate this leckie stuff.