Charging quirk!

Have had a charging problem for ages, fitted new alternator and reg , all fine for 2000 miles, but same problem again, so another new alternator and reg and after 200 miles its failing again!. Seems it has to warm up before it charges! Have changed back to the very original reg (which was ok) but still the same. Have checked wiring to reg all seems tight. Any ideas or a quirk to live with? Type 4 2.0l engine 1976.

 

I assume the battery is good? Does it have split-charge to leisure battery?

 

Brand new battery, no split charge.

 

What was the original charging problem?

 

red light glimmer when traveling, now red light on first start up when cold! When warm and charging its 14.4 v, under FULL load 13v.

 

UK model?

 

No California and injection.

 

Havent a wiring drawing for that but does the dual circuit brake warning light operate and then go off with engine running?

 

Only brake light I have is the hand brake one!

 

I think I will check the earths and battery connections and try that. thanks guys, your reply's have given me another idea!

 

Think your possibly on the right track. I believe, although not certain,that on your van the handbrake warning light is also the dual circuit brake warning light. Does the problem appear when you start the engine with the handbrake off?

 

Might be bad bulb holder cornections try cleaning up the contact points on the bulb holder and dash

 

Don't think so, I have just cleaned up the battery positive clamp and wire connection, which were not too good, will check out in the morning when the problem seems to be. Thanks for your help and will get back

 

Dont get hung up on it I may have misread the drawing!

 

So the "G" light stays on for a while after a cold start?
If so, it might be worth checking the carbon brushes in the alternator. Check the belt tension too.

Edit: It's also worth knowing that the alternator relies on the current through the "G" light to start charging. That is to say, if the bulb blows or there is unusually high resistance in that connection (blue wire) - the alternator might not start. It is also for that reason you cannot replace the "G" lamp with an LED. So it would be worth cleaning up all the connections on that blue wire and the bulb-holder as suggested by @matty above.

 

How does the brake circuit warning lamp have an effect on the alternator charging the battery?

 

try shorting the feed for the lamp down to chassis and see what happens. You will find the lamp will stay on permanently as it will fry the diode pack in the alternator. Ask me how i know!

 

Woopsy daisy

 

i know.rookie mistake made by following the wrong wiring diagram.

 

Hi all, thanks for you advice. So I have just looked at the dual circuit cylinder and there are wires going somewhere, didn't know the brake warning light was for malfunction as well as hand brake which only comes on/off with that and not on start up. Need to have a better look under dash at lamp holder/wires when its a bit cooler inside the van as its 'betty swollocks' in there!