It was really late. I MEANT to say positive ground. But that is all circumstancial. We still need to know what system you have!
idiot light glowing
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,408
Likes: 5,419
From: Central PA
idiot light glowing
The generator indicator light in my '54 F-100 glows dimly when I turn on the headlights. Put them on high beam it glows brighter, put on 4-way flashers it pulses with the flashers, turn on the heater blower it glows brighter. Turning on my stock electric wipers makes it glow more. Sounds like a voltage regulator problem, right? Although the battery has always been fully charged even after a cold, dark, rainy night where I needed the 4-way flashers (ha-ha) I thought I would have the guys at my favorite garage check it out at the next state inspection. They said everything was charging and the regulator was putting out the right amount of volts. They even took it to the guy that rebuilt my starter and generator (and this guy is good). He said there is no problem. I trust them, but what is making the gen light come on. It does not go off with revving the engine. Any ideas out there? I guess that's why they call it an idot light!!!
Thanks, Abe
Thanks, Abe
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,408
Likes: 5,419
From: Central PA
idiot light glowing
Oh yeah, the electrical system is the stock 6 volt with generator. As I said they said the output is good. I have had no troubles with the battery not charging, the belt is tight. If the belt were loose then the Gen light would glow all the time and would grow dimmer as the engine revved faster. I even copied the shop manual to show them how to adjust each of the 3 parts in the regulator. As I said I have had no problems yet other than the Gen light glowing.
Thanks, abe
Thanks, abe
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
idiot light glowing
Well, I'm following through the circuit description in a vintage repair manual. Quick question before I give an opinion: Does the light come on with the ignition on but engine off? If so, does it go out when you start the engine and then start glowing again as you described when you start loading the electrics?
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
idiot light glowing
Yes, the light should come on when you turn the key on, then go out as you start it. If you've adjusted the regulator and get the proper output from it, I'd focus on the generator then. have it tested by a good auto electrical shop. It could be failing under a load. They are also supposed to be matched to the regulator for output. It has to be one or the other that has a problem.
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Brett Foote
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
idiot light glowing
Ok, I think your generator system is probably good, I'm willing to trust the guys that checked it. Now, when did this problem start? Has it done this since you bought the truck, or did it start just recently. If it's done this as long as you've owned the truck, I'd get out the wiring diagram and trace down where the idiot light hooks into the system. Is it still hooked where it's supposed to go? I don't have one of these lights, so I dont know exactly how it works. I can imagine a diode in the system that allows current to flow to the light when the battery is discharging. It may be possible for the diode to have broken down over time, or gotten hooked up backwards, again, don't know how your system works. I suppose you do not have an ampmeter as well? If this problem is till getting you, just unhook the idiot light and get an ampmeter from napa, because the light is not doing you any good as is. Good luck!
Alaskanf1
Alaskanf1
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
idiot light glowing
I have the same question that Alaskinf1 asked. Did the light start doing this after some other work was done. Have you checked all of the ground wires. Battery to engine, engine to frame, frame to body, etc. A faulty ground (loose or missing) can cause a lot of funny things to happen with the electrical system.
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