19 replies to this topic

[007xico]

Hi ,
My ignition light stopped coming on a couple of days ago , still starts well and drives fine .
Today got the time to check all the cabling and seems fine , earth straps are new, belt seems tight .
Battery reads 12.80 when off and goes down to 12.73 when running .
Sounds like alternator isn't charging but thought light would stay on if was a charging problem .
Do I need a new alternator or might be something else ?

[Ethel]

Possibly just the bulb. It's an essential part of the exciter feed that gets the alternator started.

 

If it's not easily accessible you could earth the brown/ yellow at the alternator and see if the bulb lights when you turn the ignition on.

 

Don't start the engine with the alternator unplugged!

[007xico]

Possibly just the bulb. It's an essential part of the exciter feed that gets the alternator started.

 

If it's not easily accessible you could earth the brown/ yellow at the alternator and see if the bulb lights when you turn the ignition on.

 

Don't start the engine with the alternator unplugged!

Hi, thanks for replying, i will be trying that.

Could you tell me what bulbs and where can i get them?

[TehMarchant]

I have a better idea, probably the notorious wire that breaks at the front gearbox mounting. Its just behind the front bumper on the near side at the bottom.

 

A quick search will bring up a thread on fixing it.

 

EDIT, I thought I was on the Skoda Forum, My bad haha

Edited by TehMarchant, 13 April 2016 - 06:26 PM.

[floormanager]

Your alternator is not working.  Everytime I've had an alternator failure, the light has failed to come on.  You should be 14v with the engine running.

[Ethel]

Your alternator is not working.  Everytime I've had an alternator failure, the light has failed to come on.  You should be 14v with the engine running.

that's a possibility but I'd check it's not just the bulb first, the alternator usually needs some current via the resistance of the bulb to energise its windings.

It depends on your dash instruments what type of bulb you need. Sure it'll be listed on Minispares.

[007xico]

 

Your alternator is not working.  Everytime I've had an alternator failure, the light has failed to come on.  You should be 14v with the engine running.

that's a possibility but I'd check it's not just the bulb first, the alternator usually needs some current via the resistance of the bulb to energise its windings.

It depends on your dash instruments what type of bulb you need. Sure it'll be listed on Minispares.

 

I might be blind but searching for dash light or igniton light, nothing comes up.

I have a 1989 mayfair with 3 clocks.

[floormanager]

 

Your alternator is not working.  Everytime I've had an alternator failure, the light has failed to come on.  You should be 14v with the engine running.

that's a possibility but I'd check it's not just the bulb first, the alternator usually needs some current via the resistance of the bulb to energise its windings.

It depends on your dash instruments what type of bulb you need. Sure it'll be listed on Minispares.

 

Possible but the clue is that he is only getting 12.7V with the engine running.  The alternator is barely functioning; should be 14V on start-up.

[dklawson]

Possible but the clue is that he is only getting 12.7V with the engine running.  The alternator is barely functioning; should be 14V on start-up.

 

 

That is true.  However, if the charge warning lamp has failed, a Lucas alternator will not start charging.  You will always see battery voltage (typically 12.5V or less).  As Ethel said, the lamp is part of the circuit that excites the alternator's stator windings.  If those windings aren't powered when the engine first starts, the alternator will not work.

 

As Ethel said, check first that the bulb is not blown.  This is a very quick test.  To repeat Ethel's advice....

Unplug the alternator. 

Make a jumper wire and insert one stripped end of the wire into the SMALL terminal in the alternator plug.  

Switch the ignition to the run position but do not start the engine.

Connect the other stripped end of the jumper wire to a bare metal earthing spot on the engine.

If the lamp illuminates, the bulb is good and you have a serious issue in the alternator.  

If the lamp does not illuminate, replace the bulb.

[007xico]

 

Possible but the clue is that he is only getting 12.7V with the engine running.  The alternator is barely functioning; should be 14V on start-up.

 

 

That is true.  However, if the charge warning lamp has failed, a Lucas alternator will not start charging.  You will always see battery voltage (typically 12.5V or less).  As Ethel said, the lamp is part of the circuit that excites the alternator's stator windings.  If those windings aren't powered when the engine first starts, the alternator will not work.

 

As Ethel said, check first that the bulb is not blown.  This is a very quick test.  To repeat Ethel's advice....

Unplug the alternator. 

Make a jumper wire and insert one stripped end of the wire into the SMALL terminal in the alternator plug.  

Switch the ignition to the run position but do not start the engine.

Connect the other stripped end of the jumper wire to a bare metal earthing spot on the engine.

If the lamp illuminates, the bulb is good and you have a serious issue in the alternator.  

If the lamp does not illuminate, replace the bulb.

 

Thanks for that, i will try first thing tomorrow.

 

I can't find the bulbs. Can anyone post a link ?

[Ethel]

http://www.minispare...ck to catalogue for the instruments behind the steering wheel. It's not a Mini specific bit you should be able to get one locally.

[007xico]

 

Possible but the clue is that he is only getting 12.7V with the engine running.  The alternator is barely functioning; should be 14V on start-up.
 

 
That is true.  However, if the charge warning lamp has failed, a Lucas alternator will not start charging.  You will always see battery voltage (typically 12.5V or less).  As Ethel said, the lamp is part of the circuit that excites the alternator's stator windings.  If those windings aren't powered when the engine first starts, the alternator will not work.
 
As Ethel said, check first that the bulb is not blown.  This is a very quick test.  To repeat Ethel's advice....
Unplug the alternator. 
Make a jumper wire and insert one stripped end of the wire into the SMALL terminal in the alternator plug.  
Switch the ignition to the run position but do not start the engine.
Connect the other stripped end of the jumper wire to a bare metal earthing spot on the engine.
If the lamp illuminates, the bulb is good and you have a serious issue in the alternator.  
If the lamp does not illuminate, replace the bulb.
 

So, light wouldn't come on when connecting the smaller wire to earth.
Removed the dash started to move bulbs around and it worked, as usual instead of doing it slow, no, i i just put my hand behind the dash and started changing them. After testing them all , i know now one is faulty, not sure if was the ignition one.
Also noticed when testing them  all, the contact between the bulb and the circuit  isn't great, sometimes needs a slight turn back wards for the light to work.
Now onto testing the alternator   I am a noob, as i ordered a new plug for the alternator , instead of wait and test the bulb, i just removed the plug.
 
I am getting a new bulb and when the plug comes i will test it again .

Edited by 007xico, 14 April 2016 - 10:23 AM.

[007xico]

Possible but the clue is that he is only getting 12.7V with the engine running.  The alternator is barely functioning; should be 14V on start-up.
 

 
That is true.  However, if the charge warning lamp has failed, a Lucas alternator will not start charging.  You will always see battery voltage (typically 12.5V or less).  As Ethel said, the lamp is part of the circuit that excites the alternator's stator windings.  If those windings aren't powered when the engine first starts, the alternator will not work.
 
As Ethel said, check first that the bulb is not blown.  This is a very quick test.  To repeat Ethel's advice....
Unplug the alternator. 
Make a jumper wire and insert one stripped end of the wire into the SMALL terminal in the alternator plug.  
Switch the ignition to the run position but do not start the engine.
Connect the other stripped end of the jumper wire to a bare metal earthing spot on the engine.
If the lamp illuminates, the bulb is good and you have a serious issue in the alternator.  
If the lamp does not illuminate, replace the bulb.

Changed the bulbs and now on idle I get 13.70v and at 2000rpm 14.20v . Is this correct ? Does it mean the alternator its working ?

The only problem is that plastic circuit , behind the clocks where all the bulbs go . Seems to have a poor contact , need to adjust the bulbs to work , a small touch and a couple stop working . Can't even get the right indicator to light up (the only one ) .

[dklawson]

Your voltage readings are good. They indicate the alternator is putting out sufficient voltage to charge the battery.  

 

I cannot comment about the flex circuit.

[007xico]

Your voltage readings are good. They indicate the alternator is putting out sufficient voltage to charge the battery.  

 

I cannot comment about the flex circuit.

I think the circuit is worn.

 

Just checked the readings again and i get:

Off - 13.64v

idle - 13.96

2000 rpm - 14v

 

Loks good, the alternator money can be spent on a new front grille 

 

Thanks for the tips