Electrics: 164: - Charge warning lamp glowing

john h · Jul 29th, 2007, 19:45

Hi,

I am hoping someone can advise regarding a problem with my 1974 164E.

The charge ("AMP") warning light glows constantly when the engine is running. It is very dim - hard to notice in daylight.

When a load is applied (e.g. headlights) the warning lamp glows very slightly more, but still dim

The altenator appears to charge up the battery as is should

The volts guage shows between 12 and 14 volts; correct I think?

Fan belt is correct tension

No other symptoms

Any help/suggestions welcome!

Thanks

John

Alec Dawe · Jul 29th, 2007, 20:13

I seem to remember, from a dim and distant (and unfortunately NOT mis-spent!) youth that this can be a sign of a poor earth on the charging system somewhere, so I'd be checking the battery, engine, alternator earths as a first go

Citizen.Agfa · Jul 30th, 2007, 02:05

I'd suggest a proper, metered, check of the alternator, cos my experiences tell me that it is on the way out; maybe the diodes (I think it is), whatever it is you're right to want to sort it, that's what warning lamps are for, after all.

Good luck, NH.

woodturner-fran · Jul 30th, 2007, 15:56

I had this with mine - it turned out the last owner had put in a regulator but wired it in reverse so that there wasn't any regulation. It was boiling the battery (you'd hear it hissing with the engine off).

Its well worth taking out the alternator and getting it overhauled and fitting a new regulator.

It won't cost that much and you'll have good piece of mind.

Fran

Pigeon · Aug 3rd, 2007, 03:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citizen.Agfa

I'd suggest a proper, metered, check of the alternator, cos my experiences tell me that it is on the way out; maybe the diodes (I think it is)

Yep... one of the diodes has gone... others may follow.

Mike B · Aug 3rd, 2007, 07:50

Hi Had the same prob on my 1972 164 was the regulator [ diode blown]
I replaced the alternator wit a 245 one , you just have to bore or drill out the bottom fixing hole and fit a distance piece [ washer ] to bring the fan belt in line , this has been on the car now for 10 + years?
not sure if your year has he separate regulator if so you can then bin it. :-}
Regards
Mike B

john h · Aug 3rd, 2007, 07:57

Mike,

Quite possibly been on 34 years! The car has done 80k and there's nothing obvious to suggest the alternator has been replaced.

Thanks for the tip re the 240 item. If possible I'll get mine rebuilt, but good to know another solution.

Thanks all

John

Jul 29th, 2007, 19:45	#1
john h VOC Member Last Online: Today 08:16 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Huddersfield View Photos By: john h	Charge warning lamp glowing Hi, I am hoping someone can advise regarding a problem with my 1974 164E. The charge ("AMP") warning light glows constantly when the engine is running. It is very dim - hard to notice in daylight. When a load is applied (e.g. headlights) the warning lamp glows very slightly more, but still dim The altenator appears to charge up the battery as is should The volts guage shows between 12 and 14 volts; correct I think? Fan belt is correct tension No other symptoms Any help/suggestions welcome! Thanks John

Jul 29th, 2007, 20:13	#2
Alec Dawe Former Support Team Last Online: Jan 26th, 2024 11:26 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nr Norwich	I seem to remember, from a dim and distant (and unfortunately NOT mis-spent!) youth that this can be a sign of a poor earth on the charging system somewhere, so I'd be checking the battery, engine, alternator earths as a first go __________________ Alec. (My other car is a WD 2-10-0)

Aug 3rd, 2007, 07:50	#6
Mike B VOC Member 4911 Last Online: Apr 13th, 2013 17:58 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kings Langley View Photos By: Mike B	Light Hi Had the same prob on my 1972 164 was the regulator [ diode blown] I replaced the alternator wit a 245 one , you just have to bore or drill out the bottom fixing hole and fit a distance piece [ washer ] to bring the fan belt in line , this has been on the car now for 10 + years? not sure if your year has he separate regulator if so you can then bin it. :-} Regards Mike B

Jul 30th, 2007, 02:05	#3
Citizen.Agfa VOC Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 16:34 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nowhere.	I'd suggest a proper, metered, check of the alternator, cos my experiences tell me that it is on the way out; maybe the diodes (I think it is), whatever it is you're right to want to sort it, that's what warning lamps are for, after all. Good luck, NH.

Jul 30th, 2007, 15:56	#4
woodturner-fran Junior Member Last Online: Jul 8th, 2014 23:46 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kildare	I had this with mine - it turned out the last owner had put in a regulator but wired it in reverse so that there wasn't any regulation. It was boiling the battery (you'd hear it hissing with the engine off). Its well worth taking out the alternator and getting it overhauled and fitting a new regulator. It won't cost that much and you'll have good piece of mind. Fran

Aug 3rd, 2007, 07:57	#7
john h VOC Member Last Online: Today 08:16 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Huddersfield View Photos By: john h	Mike, Quite possibly been on 34 years! The car has done 80k and there's nothing obvious to suggest the alternator has been replaced. Thanks for the tip re the 240 item. If possible I'll get mine rebuilt, but good to know another solution. Thanks all John

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