Alternator Wiring Mystery
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:14 pm
Hello All,
I know this is a long shot, but our community has amazing talents, so here goes...
As I explore and sort out the many mysteries of my '69 Federal Elan S4 DHC, I've observed four characteristics I believe may be interrelated:
1. The car runs whether the ignition key (in the dash, not on the column) is in the "on" position (all the way clockwise) or the "Acc" position (all the way counterclockwise);
2. The car tends to "run on" (we call this "dieseling" in my part of the US) after the ignition key is in the "off" (center) position. Because of 4, below, my local mechanic believes this is not true "dieseling", but is ignition-related.;
3. The brown with white stripe (I think it's brown - I'm a little color blind) cable you see connected to the top of the alternator (alternator installed by PO) is "hot" even when the key is in the "off" position; and
4. A test light shows small pulses of electricity going into the coil when the engine is "running on" even though the ignition key is in the "off" position.
I know, I know, I should put a rubber boot where the hot wire connects to the alternator - I promise it's on my list!
At any rate, do any of you who are gifted in mechanical know-how and the art of deductive reasoning have any advice on what might be going on here? I'll try to answer any additional questions you may have.
Best and many thanks,
John
I know this is a long shot, but our community has amazing talents, so here goes...
As I explore and sort out the many mysteries of my '69 Federal Elan S4 DHC, I've observed four characteristics I believe may be interrelated:
1. The car runs whether the ignition key (in the dash, not on the column) is in the "on" position (all the way clockwise) or the "Acc" position (all the way counterclockwise);
2. The car tends to "run on" (we call this "dieseling" in my part of the US) after the ignition key is in the "off" (center) position. Because of 4, below, my local mechanic believes this is not true "dieseling", but is ignition-related.;
3. The brown with white stripe (I think it's brown - I'm a little color blind) cable you see connected to the top of the alternator (alternator installed by PO) is "hot" even when the key is in the "off" position; and
4. A test light shows small pulses of electricity going into the coil when the engine is "running on" even though the ignition key is in the "off" position.
I know, I know, I should put a rubber boot where the hot wire connects to the alternator - I promise it's on my list!
At any rate, do any of you who are gifted in mechanical know-how and the art of deductive reasoning have any advice on what might be going on here? I'll try to answer any additional questions you may have.
Best and many thanks,
John