Ignition light stays on--

jimboaw

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Even though the alternator is charging the batteries. 14 volts at batt terminals with engine running. Volvo. Somebody point me to the correct bit of wire to tweak
 

boatmike

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In brief there is a sensor wire from the light which goes to the alternator. Probably bad connection in that but there are other possible causes.
 

halcyon

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Check voltage on WL terminal on alternator ( the little wire ) it should be above battery voltage, could be a field diode failed.

Brian
 

aztec

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had simmilar after fitting a new...(old) altanator to a boat a few weeks ago.

remembered a tip from a guy i know.. "clean the slip rings if it's been stood a while"

needless to say it worked. i didn't check the state of charge, so this may be a different fault.

the fact that yours is charging would suggest that the exiter circuit is working, as it is fed from the same souce as the warning light it could be a diode failed.
 

Goblinx

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In spite of fitting three new (old) alternators I have the same symptoms with each.
If I momentarily short out the bulb the charging system starts to work and continues to work until the next time the revs. are dropped, the bulb then lights and remains lit (irresprctive of revs.) until I again momentarily short out the bulb. Naturally I have checked the bulb wattage and the wiring but to no avail. I am stumped with this one to the extent that I have fitted a momentary shorting switch which I have to remember to press after the engine has started
J.S.
 

Stoaty

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Putting in a larger wattage bulb will cure your problem. This goes for all alternators that are lazy starters and need a rev to extinguish the light. You could well have one or more poor electrical contacts between the bulb earth and the field coils in the alternator.
 
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