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Red light on dash board

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mgbnew

mgbnew

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Real new owner of 1970 MGB. Red light on dash is comming on. Just noticed it because I have not driven in the dark much. Goes out when in between gears. After a while it did seemed to be slowly going off. Major Problem??? Do not know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
The red light above and to the right of the oil gauge.
 
Thats the one
 
If your oil light is coming on under load then it sounds like you are either low on oil or have a bad oil pump. I'd check that out immediately!!! Anyone else have an idea?
 
I'd say it's a major problem - never had the on and off problem tho'. When my engine went, the light came on and stayed on - then I went and got a rebuilt engine (this was late 70's/early 80's). I still worry about that light every time I see it come on!
 
Check your oil level first. Have you changed oil since you bought the car? Any idea when the last owner changed oil & what kind he used? Hopefully, it will only be low oil. Change oil with Castrol 20/50 and a good filter...see if that helps.
Good luck & keep us posted
 
He doesn't have an oil light guys, he has an oil gauge. My '72 has two lights up there. the red one on the left of the oil gauge next to the tach is the alternator light and the blue one on the right is the high beam indicator. The red light comes on when the ignition first comes on and stays on until the engine starts and revs a little. Then it stays out except sometimes it may come back on if the idle is a little low. If this comes on while the engine is running up in the rpms then it is not normal. Your alternator isn't charging enough or the belt might be slipping. If your belt is tight then you need to explore the alternator area.
Bob
 
yea...Bob is right...Tighten the alternator belt and battery connections...90% of the time, that is all it takes. If that doesn't help, stop somewhere and get the charging system checked on one of those nifty machines that almost any place that sells batteries has.

Bruce
 
Thank you all for the advice. I will check out all recommendations.
 
in the very upper left is a red light indicating brake something-or-another. it comes on when i set the parking brake, goes off when released.
 
On my '72 the ammeter light glows faintly if I am using the headlights AND the heater fan (at night). The alternator output is marginal. On starting the engine my red light stays on until about 2600 at which point the regulator kicks in and it will stay out until the revs drop to around 1000 rpms. Bob
 
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