struan

a fault just developed, the warnings lights on dash all come on with ignition, but stay on after the engine is running. The gauges are still working fine.
Anybody got any tips on what I can check to get this sorted.
I fitted a new battery, and I think the problem may have started about this time. Have tried changing back to old battery, no change. Checked plugs and connections etc that I can find.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.

SeanR

Year of your car?

Landseer

Alternator.

blown 87

The Alternator would be the first thing I would look at also.

Mrmerlin

usually when the alternator fails to charge all of the warning lights will come on and stay on.
start at the hot post and see what the charge is showing at idle and at 2K rpm ,
then check the charge at the battery posts, please report back

LT Texan

year?

My '78 does this once in a while. Dash lights up like a Christmas tree.

My solution is to turn it off and start it again.

Works every time.

soontobered84

All my warning lights came on and stayed on the Stepson. The alternator showed as not charging but I had it rebuilt about 3 years ago. To rule out the alternator, I removed it and had it checked. BINGO!
Bad alternator.

Landseer

Happened to our 86 in Richmond.
Lights on, after a while gauge dropped and lights flashed.
Tapped alternator with hammer, volts increased, dash lights went out.

Some days later, wife called on her cell.
86 dash lit up again, this time when creeping into the approach to the Hampton Roads Tunnel in traffic.
Started flashing when the battery dropped lower.
Just got to her destination.
Tapped it again. Same recovery.
This time I replaced alternator with a Bosch factory rebuild.

struan

Thanks all, yes, naughty, bad alternator, it appears to have a dodgey regulator, and it works intermittently. The old tap with heavy instrument has cured it for time being. Trusting it will survive the weekend's racing, then I will whip it off and give it a good seeing to.
I will report further after the inspection.

Mrmerlin

dont hit the alternator with a hammer you can permanently damage the diodes and other parts .
you probably just need a new set of brushes in the regulator.
DONT hit the alternator with a hammer you can damage it permanently

struan

thank you for your concern. said heavy object was actually plastic coated handle of a pair of side cutters, so really more a gentle tap than a full on hit.
However you may well be right about brushes, we are going to investigate further today rather than chance it failing in the weekend. Thanks again.

struan

problem has returned. Dash shows alternator is charging, and charge light goes out, but lights for low oil, fuel, temp and oil pressure stay on. Is it possible alternator is still the problem even tho it shows as charging.
Any further ideas much appreciated. cheers.

Landseer

My charging light was out most of the time, too.
Wasn't charging enough.
Are you getting all warning lights, everything in dash lit, including central warning indicator?
If you have access to one, replace the alt.

As Sean asked earlier, what year?

Koenig-Specials 928

Check the battery voltage while charging, not just the alternator light that goes out. Below a certain voltage mine lit up also like a christmas tree. Turned out to be a combo of the alternator AND a bad battery.

Mrmerlin

you need to check the charge rate at the hot post,
disregard the pod gauge till this is done, if its charging at less than 13.5 volts then one or more of the diodes has fried.
clean the hot post and check the 14 pin connector for corrosion, check or replace the ground starp and clean both battery terminals