Ignition Light

[philknight]

What would cause an ignition light to come on after turning off the engine and removing the key?
I went to start up today and the battery was dead. I jumped it and ran down the road to meet up for a drive with the local TR club. Didn't observe the ignition light on so thought all was well. Volt meter was showing 12 volts (i'm used to an ammeter that tells you if your charging). Shut down the motor at the meet up point and had to jump it at restart. Did a run of about 3 hours, stopped for dinner and had to do push start when we were off again. Shot strait home (Lucas motto, Drive safe, Be home before dark) and noticed after I shut it down the only way the ignition light would go out was to disconnect the battery. It's a 73 TR6 that I've had on the road about 2 months with a rebuilt alternator from TRF and new wiring from British Wiring.
Phil

 

[Brosky]

Seems as though you may have a drain. 12 volts is not good enough to sustain the car running and keep the battery charged at the same time. Normal output should be 12.8 to 14.0 + volts. I don't have my Masters book here or I would search that condition for you.

However, I'm sure that one of the gurus here will come up with a fix. Stick around a bit.

BTW, have you tried fully charging your battery with a charger(disconnected from car cables) and having it load tested?

 

[philknight]

I'm charging the battery now. I figured I must have a drain some where so I started removing fuses to find out where. With the key out and all the fuses removed the ignition light still glowed brightly. Seems strange because its been performing well since I redid the electricals a couple months ago.

 

[Bob_Muzio]

Phil, something in the back of my mind says alternator, but before you replace it wait till one of "the more knowledgeables" contributes their ideas.
Bob

 

[Brosky]

The alternator could have a short internally causing the problem. Must be getting close if all fuses are out and light is still on.

 

[MDCanaday]

I am always very suspicious of rebuilt electrical componets there are lots of ways they can fail, get the alternator checked soon.
MD(mad dog)

 

[philman]

my rebuilt 25acr used to discharge if I left the ignition lamp wire connected. I am pretty sure it was the regulator went bad. The lamps used to flicker also if I had them on, although the battery guage on my ham radiio registered the proper voltage output (it probably didn't react fast enough).

 

[Brosky]

Do you have a local electric repair shop that you know for generators, alternators and starters? I googled your location and got these:
https://frederick-md.car-repair.premierguide.com/Auto+Alternator+Repair.q.html

I always use a local who will test and rebuild on the spot if needed. They can test the stator winding as well as the obvious diodes, etc. and determine if there is an internal problem. Usually, they will be able to fix it for less than the swap outs at a large chain and you know what you've got when they're done.

 

[philknight]

After charging the battery overnight I reconnected the terminals to investigate, all fuses still removed,key not in the ignition, and low and behold the brake fail light is on and after trying to track this down realize the alternator is warm to the touch.

 

[Brosky]

Time for alternator R&R and a trip to one of the shops on the list that I posted for you. Good luck!

 

[philknight]

I called TRF Monday morning to see if there was a warranty on the alternator. I had purchased it about a week beyond their 90 day return policy. I described the symptoms and they said to send it in with the reciept if I could find it. Mailed it out Mon. PM, Got a Call from them Wed. AM. said they recieved it and would send a replacement at no charge, Today I got home, package recieved and an hour later I'm up and running. A three day turn around. All systems back to normal. I am in awe of The Roadster Factory. Phil

 

[Guest]

I wish they processed orders that quick. Even when its not on backorder it seems to take them over a week to get it out...

 

[philknight]

Numerous times I've ordered on line from them on the weekend and had it on my doorstep on Tuesday.

 

[Guest]

I need to move to MD I guess.

 

[Brosky]

I've had good luck with them, but I'm only 700 miles away here in RI. Web orders do seem to move a bit quicker, but then I've bought so much from them, that it's hard to tell.

I placed an on line order Weds morning and called in the afternoon to see if there were any backorders. None were shown according to Chuck and the order was in the process of being pulled at that time. I'll post when I actually get it just as a little test, but I'd bet it would be Monday.

 

[Guest]

I'm in NY - less than 1/2 the distance...

Seriously, I've not had much luck with timely receipt of the stuff they have in, let alone the back-orders. I've said it before - I'd like to order a lot more from them - but the unreliablity makes me use the large vendor in NJ way more than I'd like for stuff I need.

 

[Airfix]

Good to hear you have already got a replacement alternator, sounds like one of the diodes was bad.