Spf - Red Indicator Light ???
 

Can anyone tell me what the red light just above the ignition key is for on an SPF ?? Mine just came on yesterday...Thanks in advance.

Watch your alternator
 

Agro,
It's the ignition light and if it comes on and stays on, start watching your amp gauge. When the amp gauge starts to dance in the discharge area, it's a pretty good indicator that your alternator is about to go on vacation. If you replace it, I suggest that you contact Mark Dove at Dynamic Motorsports and ask about the Roush Racing 90 amp alternator. It may save you some headaches in the future.

Don't wory about it. Your charging system is still working, right?

Charging System...
 

...seems to be working fine. Car fires right up and runs perfectly. What would indicate that the charging system is NOT working ?? Could it be an indication that the alternator is getting ready to go bad ?

Could be a weak or broken ground... I had this problem before.

Good luck,
Randy R...

Alternator/Voltage Rgulator Problem....
 

The red light indicates the alternator or voltage regulator is not putting out enough power. When you first turn the switch to the 'ON' position, the light glows because the alternator isn't turning and producing power. It should go out once the car is started and running. If not, suspect a bad alternator, or voltage regulator.

Since I don't know if you're running an alternator with an internal voltage regulator, or not, I can't be sure if your voltage regulator could be the problem. Normally, for internal voltage regulators the red light will glow if a diode goes bad in the regulator. This causes a back circuit that will run down your battery while the car is off. It normally causes the red light to glow a little - sometimes very faintly - when the car isn't running.

I'd remove the alternator and take it to a shop that can test it. I suspect a bad alternator. It won't show up immediately, but this will run your battery down PDQ.


If the alternator tests good, then I'd suspect a bad regulator. They're inexpensive, and if it's in question - replace it. If that still doesn't solve the problem, then I'd suspect a faulty, or intermittent ground somewhere.

Finally, it may even be a faulty igniton switch...pretty remote, but it could happen.

Hope this helps...

agro,

Just remember if you install a 90 amp alternator then DO NOT hook it up to your amp gauge.

Roscoe

Alternator seems fine...Replaced the voltage regulator and the light went off, but the system still does not seem to be charging...DAMM - any ideas ?

use a voltmeter to verify if it is running at 13.5-14.5 volts.If it is not charging it will be closer to 12.0
Bypass the ammeter by connecting the two big red wires that plug into the backside of it and check volts again with car running
Make sure the sise terminal on the starter solenoid bolted to the firewall is tight. The one with the 10 ga red wire
Check the 3 wire connector that connects the regulator loom to the rest of the car, one terminal may have pushed out.
Is the brown ground wire atached to the case of the regulator?
Does your car have an MSD... if so there may be a diode inline between the "I" terminal on the regulator and the alternator, this may be fried. Other than that, just check all connection points and contiuity test the loom between terminals to verify no broken or loose wires.

Did you have the alternator checked...? If not, how do you know the "alternator seems fine"? Not trying to get on your case, but faulty alternators look just like good ones....they just don't charge....and what were your symtoms again? ;)

Seriously, check out that alternator. Sounds like you may have had a flakey voltage regulator because your red light went out when it was replaced. Now, we need to be sure your alternator doesn't have a broken field coil, or something else that's causing it not to produce a charge. A shop specializing in starters/alternators should be able to check it for you for little or nothing. But, you'll have to take it off and take it to them first.

If your alternator checks okay, and you know you've already replaced the voltage regulator, hell, the only thing left is wiring....maybe a bad ground wire, loose or intermittent contact, bad battery - maybe, but probably not. Faulty or intermittent ground wires would probably be in your ammeter circuit. I'd be willing to bet everything's okay with your alternator, voltage regulator, and battery, but your ammeter has fried it's guts....just a guess here.

Check out that alternator and let us know what turns up.

Anyone else got any more ideas....?

As per usual - great advice !! Thanks Fixit, looks like I have some hunting to do !!

...The car is in the very able and competent hands of House of Cobras for it's 500 mile service. I'm sure they will find the prob - just hope it's not the alternator...Thanks for the help though, much appreciated...

Sounds like MrFixIt and I are on the same page. I didn't think of bypassing the ammeter, but his suggestion is a good one. Don't forget to disconnect the battery before messing around with the back of the ammeter, or you'll get a whole new appreciation of Forth of July fireworks! Yeeeeee-haaaa! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Don't ask me how I know that....or about how hot wires get welded to metal devices they're not supposed to be welded to. I have no idea.... :rolleyes:

Come on Freddie, tell us how you learned all about welding wires together. We want to have details. :LOL: :LOL:

Wayne

Weeeelllllll......
 

Let's just say I have a new in-depth understanding of the principles and physics of arc welding, and leave it at that,...okay? :rolleyes:

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK
 

I'm assuming that you weren't using a welding machine at the time. Is that correct?:JEKYLHYDE :3DSMILE: :LOL: **)

Wayne

Oui... ;)

Just had the alternator replaced on #1299 and picked her up today. I have only driven the car a couple of times at night and noticed that the indicator light was on. I really could not tell if if it was on during the daytime. Stupid me, when I saw it on I just figured that it meant that the ignition was on. I'll have to admit that on those night time drives I said to myself "man that red light is kind of annoying"!!! Anyway, all is well now and the car is running superb. BTW, I also had the new "Pro whatever its called" shifter linkage installed........what a great set-up, I would highly recommend it.

Brian "gotta read the owners manual" Newell

p.s. many thanks to Eric @ Performance Engineering. This guy is top notch!!!!