Strange lights on dashboard

[rfdillon]

Folks, Yesterday the three lights at the bottom right hand side of the dashboard began to light up. on my 1983 300D Turbodiesel. These are both brake lights and the alternator light. I drove it, got home, and tested the battery and charging system with a meter from Harbor freight, and it indicated that the battery was charging, as I thought it might be the alternator going out.
This evening, I drove the car after dark, and noticed that not only do these 3 lights stay on, but also the low fuel light (yellow triangle) light also stays on all the time, the tank is more than 3/4 full so I know that is not the problem.
Does anyone know where to look to start diagnosing this problem? It is almost as though some ground loosened up or something, as I don't believe there is anything wrong with the brakes, the tank has plenty of gasoline, and the battery and alternator appear to be fine, so it appears as though these lights on the dashboard are connected to something that has loosened up or something.
Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks so much in advance!

[tbomachines]

It sounds like a ground for me. The fuel sender reserve light comes on when the little wire inside the unit becomes ungrounded IIRC, which supports that diagnosis. However I'd imagine that would happen at the unit rather than the dash....Pull the cluster out and check out any loose wires, make sure they're all in there nice and snug.

[rfdillon]

It appears as though the alternator isn't putting out enough voltage. Only ~ 11 volts, so I will need to replace the alternator. Thanks for your help, and if you have any recommendations as to which alternator to use, I'd appreciate if you'd share it with me, thanks!

[Jeremy5848]

It may simply be that the brushes in the alternator are worn down to where they no longer make good contact. The brushes are part of the regulator which is separably replaceable for about $40 and you can buy one from FastLane right here on the forum (they support this forum).

[rfdillon]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I had an old regulator that still had good brushes in it and I put that in the alternator, and it still is only putting out ~ 11 volts.

[Jeremy5848]

If it is not the brushes/regulator, and if there isn't a rogue load such as a stuck-on preglow relay, then the alternator itself is the next suspect. A bad diode in the diode array could cause the symptoms you are seeing. Note: most alternator sales are based upon you turning in your old alternator as a "core." When you do so, make sure you keep the best regulator, don't give it away in the core. In fact, I don't know if rebuilt alrernators even come with the regulator or is that a separate purchase? Can we hear from someone who has been there before?

[supercub]

I am reviving this thread because my 78 300D is not charging, or is only charging only a litttle. I get 12 volts with a recharged battery (3 months old). Start the car, same voltage. Load it up, same voltage. Should I expect to see an increase in voltage of about 2 volts when running? How can I isolate the problem between the alternator and the starter?

Thanks

[kerry]

Originally Posted by supercub

I am reviving this thread because my 78 300D is not charging, or is only charging only a litttle. I get 12 volts with a recharged battery (3 months old). Start the car, same voltage. Load it up, same voltage. Should I expect to see an increase in voltage of about 2 volts when running? How can I isolate the problem between the alternator and the starter?

Thanks

Yes. Not sure how the starter figures into the equation. Replace the regulator and report back.

[supercub]

Yes, correction: regulator.