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Originally Posted by JimSmith
Lorenzo7,
This post is very similar to a post where someone took the instrument cluster out of the car and drove it, with similar results. One of the problems is that without the light lighting at the beginning of the starting sequence it is unlikely the alternator is connected to the charging circuit. This can be as simple as the bulb behind the charging light is burned out, or it can be a problem with the voltage regulator. ....
So, when you jump start the car or charge the battery, does the charging light come on? If it never comes on I would check the voltage regulator (easy to replace, but limited access - do a search there is a load of data on the subject) and if the brushes are completely worn off, replace them or the regulator. If the regulator looks ok, I would pull the instrument cluster and check the bulb behind the charging indicator. Jim
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HA! You were refering to my post right? Well, I almost panicked when I started my car earlier on and realized the charging light wasn't coming on!!
I almost got so angry that I was going to drive back to KC, dump the car and take a more reliable, newer car back here. Then I read your post about checking the bulb. I had just ordered spare bulbs last week from Fastlane two weeks ago so I switched out the bulb and - the charging light came on!! I cooled off and relaxed at that point.
Indeed, most of the time the best solution is the simplest one. At this point, can I assume my voltage regulator is good? Also, when they run a test on your alternator, does the functionality of the voltage regulator affect the results they obtain at all?