Alternator light in mk1

[Boffin]

Hi there, I've put a banana engine in my lwb mk1, the engine was from a 1999 T reg transit the alternator is connected up and I've checked with a multi meter and its charging fine, the alternator has a big wire going to the battery and two little wires on the side which I've tried connecting to the wire for the charging light but it doesn't go out, don't really want to change the alternator just to get the light to work as this alternator is newish and charging fine, any ideas electrical experts? Many many thanks. Ben.

[DodgeRover]

My understanding is that if the charge warning light isn't connected or the bulb is blown then the alternator will not charge, what voltage are you showing when it is running ? If it is charging 13.5v is somewhere around normal

[Boffin]

The big thick wire from the alternator to the battery is there and I've put a multimeter across the battery and its showing about 13.5v so it's charging the battery alright, it's just it would be nice to have a light so I know it's charging, I could always put an older alternator on where the light is just connected to one of the terminals on the alternator, or I could connect up a volt gauge, but the light would be neater. Thanks again for any help.

[AndyG]

Only ONE of the small side cables is for the light and the other one is for a rev counter

Are you using the original alternator plug with wiring or connecting direct with the van's original wiring

[Boffin]

Hi AndyG,
I have the big wire straight to the battery, and the two little wires are just out of the alternator at the minute, on the other side I just have 1 wire from the mk1 wiring loom when I earth this wire the light comes on at the speedo, I've tried connecting this wire with one of the alternator wires, the light comes on but when I start it and rev it up the light stays on, any ideas?? Thanks again for your help

[Frag]

The wire from your dash light(usually blue)

Needs to be to the D+ terminal on alternator will be a blue,blue and black or blue and white in the connector.

Other wire (you won't need)should then be the W terminal and grey/black which is rev counter feed and around half charging voltage ( i.e. 7.5 volts)

Sometimes they need one initial 'rev' above idle for lamp to go out once started...

[ake]

It's the small wire in the middle for the charging light

[Frag]

Evening Ake

I think the alternator he has will be the later type on a '99...

2 pin multiplug on side,rather than 3 bolt on top style fitted to mk4's and early 5's..

[ake]

Evening Ake

I think the alternator he has will be the later type on a '99...

2 pin multiplug on side,rather than 3 bolt on top style fitted to mk4's and early 5's..

Ah, I was thinking of my 97!

[Boffin]

Thanks lads, yes mine is the later one with 1 big bolt at the back for the big cable to the battery and a connector on the side with 2 little wires, like u say blue and black and white and black, I'll try it again and leave it for a while, I did it before and revved it up and it didn't go out, but may just need longer, I have got an older one somewhere if all else fails, thanks again chaps. Ben.