2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Good Alternator, Warning Light Cluster Still On

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-29-12, 06:03 PM
  #1  
HDP
A Fistfull of Dollars!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: HuntsVEGAS, AL
Posts: 5,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Question Good Alternator, Warning Light Cluster Still On

Had the alternator on my 90 Vert checked and it was putting out adequate voltage but it is still sending a ground signal to the warning cluster. What else can I do to fix this other than buying a new alternator?
Old 01-29-12, 06:30 PM
  #2  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
satch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: tulsa,ok.
Posts: 11,738
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
W/the car running have you disconnected the plug that houses the White/Black wire to see if the lights turned off or not? If they don't turn off then the problem is occuring from something else.
Old 01-29-12, 06:38 PM
  #3  
HDP
A Fistfull of Dollars!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: HuntsVEGAS, AL
Posts: 5,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Oh crap, no I didn't. I just checked the wire from the back of the plug with it still in the alternator. Where would a ground signal come from if it's not from the alternator?
Old 01-29-12, 06:42 PM
  #4  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
satch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: tulsa,ok.
Posts: 11,738
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
If it were not from the W/B wire grounding out it could then be coming from the ABS control unit as the wire splits as one leg goes to the warning lights while the other leg goes to ABS.
Old 01-29-12, 06:49 PM
  #5  
HDP
A Fistfull of Dollars!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: HuntsVEGAS, AL
Posts: 5,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
If I'm not mistaken, it doesn't have ABS...
Old 01-29-12, 06:52 PM
  #6  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
satch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: tulsa,ok.
Posts: 11,738
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
The wiring might still exist even w/o the actual option being installed. But if the ground is not coming from the alternator, which you have not verified as of yet, then the ground is either coming from the wire itself or the warning unit.
Old 01-29-12, 06:57 PM
  #7  
HDP
A Fistfull of Dollars!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: HuntsVEGAS, AL
Posts: 5,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
The warning cluster is good. Disassembled it and checked all the circuits.
Old 01-29-12, 07:04 PM
  #8  
Moderator

iTrader: (1)
 
satch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: tulsa,ok.
Posts: 11,738
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
You know what you need to do.
Old 01-29-12, 07:07 PM
  #9  
HDP
A Fistfull of Dollars!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: HuntsVEGAS, AL
Posts: 5,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
It's cold and dark outside... I will check it tomorrow.
Old 01-30-12, 12:23 AM
  #10  
Driving RX7's since 1979

iTrader: (43)
 
HOZZMANRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: So Cal where the OC/LA/SB counties meet
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
How did you have the alternator checked out?
Old 01-30-12, 11:38 AM
  #11  
HDP
A Fistfull of Dollars!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: HuntsVEGAS, AL
Posts: 5,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by HOZZMANRX7
How did you have the alternator checked out?
Autozone...
Old 01-30-12, 03:47 PM
  #12  
Rotary Freak
 
HAILERS2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: FORT WORTH TEXAS
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
What was the voltage on the W/B wire with engine running and all plugs on the alt?

What's the voltage on the W/B wire with engine OFF key ON with all plugs connected? Should be 2 to 3vdc.

With key ON and engine OFF and the plug off the alt, are all the warning lights still on?

What's the output volage with engine running at say 1000 rpms with all plugs connected?
Old 01-30-12, 04:52 PM
  #13  
Driving RX7's since 1979

iTrader: (43)
 
HOZZMANRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: So Cal where the OC/LA/SB counties meet
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Originally Posted by HAILERS2
What was the voltage on the W/B wire with engine running and all plugs on the alt?

What's the voltage on the W/B wire with engine OFF key ON with all plugs connected? Should be 2 to 3vdc.

With key ON and engine OFF and the plug off the alt, are all the warning lights still on?

What's the output volage with engine running at say 1000 rpms with all plugs connected?
Less is better.
Old 02-04-12, 06:40 PM
  #14  
HDP
A Fistfull of Dollars!

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
HDP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: HuntsVEGAS, AL
Posts: 5,321
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by satch
W/the car running have you disconnected the plug that houses the White/Black wire to see if the lights turned off or not? If they don't turn off then the problem is occuring from something else.
Been sick, but finally got around to doing this... disconnected the plug and all the lights went out, so the problem lies with the alternator.

Any advice on a fix without replacing it?
Old 02-05-12, 12:37 AM
  #15  
Driving RX7's since 1979

iTrader: (43)
 
HOZZMANRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: So Cal where the OC/LA/SB counties meet
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Replace the regulator. But it would be just as well to replace the whole thing.

The checking device at my local AutoZone is pretty basic. For instance, so long as the lamps on voltage is less than 8 volts, it will say it's good. But the reality is it should read less than 1 volt, certainly less than 4.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fastsaab
New Member RX-7 Technical
5
08-19-15 11:42 AM



Quick Reply: Good Alternator, Warning Light Cluster Still On



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:13 PM.