Little Red Lights

["Dick Benjamin" <DickB@xxxxxxxxx>]

It is a normal situation.  The "Volts" light is designed to light up
whenever the system voltage is below some threshold - probably somewhere
around 11 or 11.5 volts.  Thus, when there is a substantial drain on the
battery without the alternator helping, the light should light.  When the
engine is running, the light will come on only if the drain is so severe
that the alternator can't keep up with it, which would not likely happen
unless the alternator was performing very poorly.

Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: Phil Brust <pbrust@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 9:35 AM
Subject: IML: Little Red Lights


> This isn't as trivial an issue as it may seem because all wiring issues in
> old cars are serious given the potential for a fire.
>
> My 82's "volt" light glows whenever there is a draw on the system without
> the engine running; open the door, the light comes on and stays on until
the
> light timer clicks off.
>
> I should check the system voltage under this condition and study the
wiring
> diagram before posting but I'm hoping someone knows a lot more about this
> than I. It's doubtful this is a normal condition.
>
> Phil Brust
> 73 & 82 Imperial
>
>
>