The standard alternator will almost certainly show a difference in
brightness between idle and off idle, but shouldn't at higher engine speeds
unless you have other heavy loads connected at the same time. With the
engine running you should see about 14.5 volts at all times except under
heavy load at idle, where it will be lower.
What do you mean 'no ignition light warnings'? If you don't get the
ignition light glowing when you turn on the ignition that goes out when you
start engine and get it off idle, and when you turn the ignition off until
the engine stops, then you have a problem in your ignition warning light
circuit.
PaulH.
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Erickson <eric@erickson.on.net>
To: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: 10 January 1999 02:31
Subject: Alternator or battery problem or what?
>Of course I am getting a little touchy in the lead-up to when I am going
>to need my car to run well/survive a decent period of driving, but I
>don't know if I am suffering from "hyper-awareness" or what.
>
>I had my alternator re-built some two months or so ago yet I seem to
>noticing quite a significant change in the headlight brightness between
>low and high revs (most noticeable when I am braking into a sharp curve
>then accelerating through it).
>
>Is my alternator stuffed again (no "ignition light" warnings at any
>time) or is my battery on the way out? She seems to crank OK at
>starting time, yes even on the 80F 'cold' mornings :-)
>
>Or... is there something else to look for?
>
>
>Eric
>'68MGB MkII
>
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