Charge light stays on?!

Hi
Had a series 3 for 6 months now.
Yesterday, after some 35 miles the charge light came on and has stayed on since, including on start up this morning.
Any ideas?

its not charging

Check you fan belt, but if that was the problem it would probably have overheated by now. Otherwise the alternator's had it. If you know what you are doing, I believe they are often easy to fix, but for most of us mere mortals it's replacement time.

Davec said:

Check you fan belt, but if that was the problem it would probably have overheated by now. Otherwise the alternator's had it. If you know what you are doing, I believe they are often easy to fix, but for most of us mere mortals it's replacement time.

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Youre probably right Dave... However, I rode mine for a small bit with the belt loose, charge light would come on when idle was low, but the water pump worked without fault. Didnt press my luck and changed the belt out as soon as I was able!!!!

Just take the Bulb out...

Oh thats not the proper way of fixing it!

There's a wee wire wot gits it excited, if that busts/shorts yer charge light'll come on. Happened to me. Me alternator wuz fine, just a weeny wire had come orf.

Grippa said:

There's a wee wire wot gits it excited, if that busts/shorts yer charge light'll come on. Happened to me. Me alternator wuz fine, just a weeny wire had come orf.

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Ooh I do hope so!...reading this at work and now cant wait to get home and start searching for me wee wire. S'pose i could ring the missus "...thats it darlin' keep rummaging...oh yeah...now give it a little tug...."...hmm maybe not.

Thanks grippa....1. you may have saved me some dosh 2. you have definitely saved the landy cos me replacing an alternator could have turned nasty ....you should see the shelves i put up last week!

Grippa said:

There's a wee wire wot gits it excited, if that busts/shorts yer charge light'll come on. Happened to me. Me alternator wuz fine, just a weeny wire had come orf.

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Yep same here..

'Weeny wire' was a bit short of helpful, but I dunno wot the feker is called.

You might have to take the plastic cover off the back of the alternator to see where it goes or where it's missing from.

Mine was just on a spade connector.........or should have bin if it hadn't snapped orf.

Or........................your alternator might be farked!

Hmm..not found a weeny wire, not any loose or dangly ones anyroad. Looks like there are 4 going into back of alternator...all seem tight.
Light still on, although did go off for 2 mins on way home last night...so suggests a short (?). Starts and runs fine..heating level is normal as always. Am i taking unnecessary risk by just keeping going?

Thanks for tips..even enjoyed the sarco from 90.

Fitmac said:

Light still on, although did go off for 2 mins on way home last night...so suggests a short (?).

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Yep it does. Clean up all the contacts with emery cloth/wire wool, give them a thin coat of vaseline, trace each wire & check it along it's length & what it connects to.........all the usual!

Am i taking unnecessary risk by just keeping going?

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Yer battery'll go flat.

Do you know anyone else with a similar Series? Swap alternators, s'only a 10/15 minute job & it would eliminate either wiring or alternator.

Grippa said:

Yep it does. Clean up all the contacts with emery cloth/wire wool, give them a thin coat of vaseline, trace each wire & check it along it's length & what it connects to.........all the usual!

Yer battery'll go flat.

Do you know anyone else with a similar Series? Swap alternators, s'only a 10/15 minute job & it would eliminate either wiring or alternator.

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oooo - he listens

The Mad Hat Man said:

oooo - he listens

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Yeah, not often to you tho'.


Boozer 7:30?