DOH!
I've pulled the battery while the car is running several times in the past
few days! The car doesn't have it's own battery yet, so to move it I would
get a jump from a nearby vehicle, start the car, disconnect the cables, then
move the vehicle to it's intended site. The more I think about it, I
realize that the last time or so the car would die when the battery cables
were disconnected! I had been told (By a FOAF* who was a mechanic) that the
battery could be disconnected to test the alternator, as long as the battery
was not re-connected while the car was running...I guess I now have
quantitative proof to prove otherwise!
Thanks for the tip - I will now change my ways! BTW, I'm forwarding this
message to the list so no one else makes the same mistake...
*FOAF - Friend Of A Friend
Michael S. Lishego
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/3706/
>Mike,
> Been watching your progress. Don't know if you've gotten the answer yet,
>but the light is on because a diode has blown in the alternator allowing
>electricity to go "backwards" through the system. (A diode is like a
>one-way valve). You can but a rectifier pack (has all the diodes) or just
>get another alternator.
>Usually diodes die because the battery has been disconected while the car
>is running. (a test used on generators only.. NEVER on alternators)
>HTH Cheers Peter
>Peter Caldwell
>MGC-GT , 100-4, '31 MM8 Cammy, Innocenti S,
>'52 Champ, '60 L-R 109 SW, 3 '64-73 L-R 88's
>nosimport@mailbag.com
>
>
>
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