Ignition light glowing dimly

P

pdcharlie

New Member
Hi all , Have been reading the forum for quite some time now and always find it interesting and informative and now that i need to pick your brains i have joined !! I have had a MK 1 2000 SC for the last 17 yrs a one owner before me and still only 54000 on the clock , she has been great and very reliable over all , we will never part and i shall prob be buried in her !
Anyway on to my problem ... I have recently noticed that the ignition light is very slightly coming on ( you can only really see it when its dark outside) the light comes on normally at very slow idle and go out as the engine speed increases but then comes on very dimly during normal driving , today the battery was completely discharged , i have changed the battery as i suspect it was faulty ( it was under guarantee ) as it seemed to be leaking a little and fizzing a bit after a long journey say over an hour or so . I have had no blown lights or faults with other elec eqpt' so am guessing its not overcharging . cant really understand why the ignition light is not coming on stronger if the Dynamo is failing or failed .... ? Any ideas ? ! Have replaced fan belt and checked tension all good there . Thanks very much , all the best Paul .
 
Hi Paul and welcome. :D
When was the dynamo last overhauled? ie new brushes? if you get new ones fitted now,you may save the rest of the dynamo's armature etc,from wearing out! A dynamo is basic and if not enough power is being generated the red light glows dimly as if the belt were loose! When the light comes on brightly permanently then its totally knackered or the fan belt has snapped!
A new battery's power, will support a faulty dynamo that is only putting out a trickle of power for a while,until the new battery eventually goes flat!
Why not treat it to a new overhauled dynamo,it deserves it after its long service!!
Dave
 
pilkie said:
Hi Paul and welcome. :D Why not treat it to a new overhauled dynamo,it deserves it after its long service!!
Dave
Click to expand...

Why not convert to an alternator and be done with it?
 
Hi Dave

Thanks very much for ur quick reply , this has been my thinking recently as during my ownership she has never had the Dynamo overhauled So will take ur advice and get her a nice recon unit ... anysuggestions as to the best place / supplier to get one from ?

Cheers Paul
 
If you decide to stay with the dynamo I'd recommend checking the control box as well, it's just as likely to be that at fault as the dynamo, and along with new dynamo brushes, you should be back to normal for another 17 years with any luck,
 
pdcharlie said:
Hi Dave

Thanks very much for ur quick reply , this has been my thinking recently as during my ownership she has never had the Dynamo overhauled So will take ur advice and get her a nice recon unit ... anysuggestions as to the best place / supplier to get one from ?

Cheers Paul
Click to expand...

Hi Paul.
There are a few places that specialise in the older parts,but it maybe worth calling on your local auto electrical place!!
Where are you located!??
As somewone close maybe able to point you to somewhere local!!
They are often sympathetic to the older cars,and can bench test and overhaul at a fair price.
As Harvey suggests also check the regulator,but,in the past,ive found they either work or they dont!
Also!!! Worth a check first to see its not just a dirty wiring connection into the dynamo or regulator!!
The dim flickering light factor is almost certain will be caused by a loose or worn out fanbelt or worn brushes!
Brushes are easy and cheap "3 or 4 quid!" to buy and easy to fit if you are willing to give it a go!! Get one of your mechanical mates round for a cuppa and then get his hands dirty! :LOL:
Let us know what happens
Dave
 
Thanks for the responses , i have bought a new, boxed ( allegedly ) Control box / regulator from E bay for 15 £ so will start with that then move on to the Dynamo and have a go at changing the brushes myself , has any one done this ? Are they pretty accessible ? is it easy to get the thing apart ... ?
wIll let u know how it goes ... Paul Oh by the way i am located in the Ascot area and the car is a 1967 model .
 
A good proper workshop manual will explain it easily,and as long as you are methodical and take your time "like operating in unknown territory" it is a straight forward job.
There are a few good forum members in your area,so no doubt help will be at hand.
 
UPDATE !

Brushes arrived this morning courtesy of JCR supplies on E bay and got down to the task of fitting them to the Dynamo , surprisingly easy in the end and took me about 2 hours , the most difficult bit was accessing the front lower mounting bolt . Anyway did it cure it ? NO !! The Brushes were pretty worn out to around 1/3 inch the new ones were an inch long but the old ones were still in contact with the armature... Started her up no light but on revving up to around 3000 rpm ( hard to tell no rev counter) the IGN light started to come on pretty strongly lower engine speed light goes off , am thinking its the control box not controlling out put relevant to engine speed ... So thats the next job !! Watch space... :D
 
All Fixed ! Voltage regulator arrived this morning and she is now charging as she should having benefitted from the overhauled dynamo also ! Heres to the next 17 yrs of no IGN light ! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top