My car has an aftermarket musical horn that I want to remove. I haven't gotten under the dash to disconnect it. It was wired, however, to a speaker that was mounted behind the front bumper. I removed that and cut the speaker wire and capped it off. Now, when you start the car everything is normal, but when you turn the key into the off position the generator light comes on. Any suggestions?
Just started mine up for the first time this year a month ago and it did the same thing. Didn't notice the light on until I had to get the battery charged because it died. Suspect a ground or shorted wire some where, but haven't had time to investigate it yet.
I think it is the voltage regulator. I reconnected the speaker to see if it stopped the problem, but it didn't. I noticed that not only the generator light was on, but the oil light was coming on faintly as well. Then, when I was disconnecting the battery, the bolt on the battery clamp made contact with the battery post and I heard clicking sounds coming from the voltage regulator. The regulator felt very warm to the touch, also. So I guess I'll try changing that.
My voltage regulator was clicking when I reconnected the battery. took the cover off and one of the solenoids was energized. Guess we'll be buying new ones. Good luck!
No such luck-got rid of the musical horn completely, tried a voltage regulator and something still drained the battery. Now all signs point to the alternator as the culprit.
You really need to connect a ammeter between the batt post and its respective cable and then start pulling fuses to see who the bad guy is. Didn't you watch Apollo 13? :laugh: http://autorepair.about.com/od/electricaltroubleshooting/a/battery_check_4.htm
X2 Put an ammeter in line with the battery cable and battery, pull fuses one at a time and see which circuit makes the current flow stop. You didn't leave the dome lights on, did you?:idea2:
Had the meter and checked the connection between the cable and battery. Thought maybe the clock was drawing power, so tried that fuse, but no. Absolutely nothing was left on in the car. As soon as the main wire to the alternator was disconnected, the problem stopped.
That sounds to me like a shorted diode in the alternator. These units are easy to rebuild, and an aftermarket upgrade is just as easy to do, possibly doubling its output. Something to consider... Ray
I had an 73 Olds 88. Same problem, "GEN" light stayed on. Turned out to be a bad diode. BAD DIODE!!:spank:
New voltage regulator, rebuilt original alternator (which did have a bad diode) and the problem persists. Key off, generator light on. What do I check now?
My wagon is having gen light issues. it stays on mostly even very dim. I have check my charging system a couple of times with no problems. Tim
The gen light is like any other light bulb. Having ground, and voltage, it will illuminate. You will need to determine which, in this case is the cause. Try disconnecting the alternator small connector. If the light goes out, the issue is one of the voltage being applied when it is not supposed to be. This will either be from the ignition key, or a short, either in the harness or the regulator. We'll go from there.
i had a somewhat similar problem. the solution was to reseat the wires in the plug that connects to the alternator.
Could it be something in the ignition switch? The generator and oil lights are on now when the key is off and they get brighter when I pull the key out of the ignition!
Since the ignition switch supplies voltage to BOTH of these circuits, it is likely that that is the source of the problem. Good call. Try disconnecting the connector to the switch, and see if the lights go out. If so, you may have to replace it.
Problem solved. I took the alternator back to the shop that rebuilt it and he discovered that the stator was touching the diode. He says it doesn't happen often, but it can happen. So, he corrected it and no more idiot light wierdness!
