Electrical question

JasonNC

Okay, I made my own wiring harness years ago and it has served me well. I put in a fuse box originally wherein I fused each line from to old wiring harness to the lights, interior lights, ignition, heater, clock, radio, etc. No problem. Over the years, I switched to 12 volts, no problem initially. I have since added air conditioning, a high speed radiator fan, and attached those accessories to another fuse block which is wired to the accessory line on the ignition switch. A while back the generator light came on and wouldn't go off. I bought a new alternator and the light still stayed on. The alternator is working properly (there was nothing wrong with the old alternator according to my starter repair guy). I have a short somewhere because when I crank the car with the battery cable attached, remove the battery cable while the engine is running, the car shuts off when I turn on the headlights. The park lights do not affect it. I haven't tried the radio or other accessories, but does anyone have any idea where to start looking for the short?

Park_W

First thing I'd check would be the wire from GEN light to alternator to be sure it's not grounded somewhere. Disconnect it from the alternator and turn the key on. If the light lights, that wire is grounded somewhere.

JasonNC

Thanks Park,
Actually, I had to disconnect the wire from the alternator to the idiot light because as soon as I hooked up the battery cable the generator light came on. When I turned on the ignition switch, the oil light would come on and the generator light would go out. I'm just going to have to work my way through it until I find the short. At least I know where to start, huh?

Park_W

Which terminal is the GEN light connected to?

JasonNC

Facing the front, the alternator terminal on the far right.

Park_W

Sounds like you may have it on the wrong terminal. Standing behind the alternator, looking at the rear face of it, the GEN light should be connected to the "blade" terminal on your left. It's marked "1".