Kathy -
About 2 years ago, while disconnecting the wiring harness to the alternator
on my '76 B, I broke a diode that some PO had soldered on the brown/yellow
lead (I think). ' Checked the wiring diagram in Haynes - no diode in the
original setup, so I spliced the lead back together without it. Ever
since, my alternatorlight has the same soft glow you describe.
Mechanic-friend of mine told me there was some sort of electrical
"leak" or backfeed in these cars - which many dealers fixed with the
addition of the diode. I was cautious for a few days; I didn't have time
to get a new diode and put it in. Well, days turned into weeks, into
months...
Well, I never replaced the diode. Frankly the battery is older than dirt
and despite 2 years of electrical "leakage"since the diode broke it still
hasn't discharged . What's more, I've grown dependent on that soft-glowing
light. For example, I had an intermittent bullet connector on my brake
light circuit. Upon fixing it - I now have an "indicator light" that
assures me that indeed my brake lights are working! As are my back-up
lights, turn signals, and auxiliary driving lights. I was perplexed by the
gentle flickering in that alternator light for awhile - until I realized
that was caused by the fuel pump. If the light ever quits flickering, I'll
anticipate engine failure in a few seconds and I'll know why. I say, leave
it - this is one of the handiest features on your MGB, and next to your oil
pressure gauge, it is your most useful instrument.
Having said that, I hope the cause of your's is the same as mine!
Allen
>X-POP3-Rcpt: bachldrs@ctc
>From: "K. Johnson" <buffymgb@ria.net>
>To: "MG's" <mgs@autox.team.net>
>Subject: Alternator light
>Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 14:36:20 -0700
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>Reply-To: "K. Johnson" <buffymgb@ria.net>
>
>Hope somebody can help me with this...I'm sure it's been gone over before
>but I've missed it.
>
> I have a '70B and the alternator light comes on whenever I turn more than
>one thing on, i.e. headlights and turn signal. It's dim enough that you
>can't see it during the day, only at night, but gets brighter the more
>things you turn on. Thinking it was the alternator, I replaced that, but it
>still does the same thing. It has a brand new battery in it so it shouldn't
>be that. Someone said it was the voltage stabilizer....I'm game for that,
>but I don't know where it's located to check it or replace it.
>
>I'm up for any suggestions...
>TIA
>
>Kathy
>'70B
>'71 Beetle
>'50 GMC P/U
>
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