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Re: alternator light

To: "MonteMorris" <mmorris@nemr.net>, "MG list" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: alternator light
From: "Paul Hunt \(T\)" <paul.hunt1@blueyonder.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:49:29 -0000
The alternator light coming on  while you were driving indicates that it had
stopped charging and should have been investigated at the earliest
opportunity.  Further driving will just flatten the battery.  Why did you
think the float was too high?  If the pump is not now pumping then either
the battery is flat, the float chambers are full, you have done something
wrong when reconnecting the carbs, or quite independently an electrical
problem has developed.  Have you tried starting the car anyway?  What
happens?  If other circuits e.g. lights still work then the battery is OK.
Does the fuel gauge work when you turn on the ignition?  If not there is a
problem in the switch area.  If that works then check the fuel-pump cut-out
hasn't tripped, there should be an electrical one on the passenger toe-board
somewhere, and possibly a mechanical one in the same area between pump and
carbs.  Disconnect a carb fuel feed pipe from a carb and direct it into a
container.  Turn on the ignition, does the pump pump?  If so the problem is
with the carbs or ignition if it cranks but won't start.  If no fuel flow
there is a 12v and ground supply to the electrical end of the pump that is
accessible from the boot/trunk.  If so manually short out the points and
flick them open with a screwdriver, does that do anything?

Not much point in looking for the alternator problem until you have the
engine running again.

PaulH.

----- Original Message -----
From: "MonteMorris" <mmorris@nemr.net>
To: "MG list" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 6:31 PM
Subject: alternator light


> A few weeks ago was the last time I drove the 79 after installing a new
> battery.  As I was nearing home the alternator light came on and stayed
on.
> A few days ago, I took the HIF carbs off to adjust a float that was too
> high, reinstalled them and tried to start the car. The fuel pump (SIU) is
> now not pumping. I rapped on the pump from underneath a few times to no
> avail and am going to start to try to track down the problem in the next
few
> days. I suppose I will start by looking at the pump points, but I could
use
> a few other pointers, especially dealing with the alternator. Could the
> alternator light being on have anything to do with the fuel pump problem?




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