Ignition lamp S4

[Boston]

I need your help about my Elan S4
Although the engine is turned on, the lamp does not go out. I showed the Lucas alternator to an electrical shop and they tested and confirmed that it is working. I have replaced the rectifier and the generator of the LUCAS alternator to new ones. However, the lamp still does not go out and the battery voltage looks no change during the engine is running (about 12. 4V). The battery is Ok and also I cleaned up the earth (-) connection to the body. Would you please give me advice about what I should check next?

Mitsu

Elan S4 (1969)
Europa TC special (1972)

[nebogipfel]

Mitsu,

Check the connections to the alternator, my advice would be to cut the connectors off and fit new ones that way you will know all is OK.

Otherwise I would still suspect the alternator. Do you have another alternator to substitute?

[Boston]

Thank you I will replace the wires.
Mitsu

[Boston]

I replaced the wire for the IGN switch to a new one. But still no change.
Do you still suspect the alrenator in spite that I fit new rectifier and regulator?

[ardee_selby]

Mitsu,

Welcome to the community.

Have you checked the other earthing points? See this thread: elan-archive-f16/alternator-warning-lamps-etc-t10387.html

Also:(General info here: http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/electricstext1.htm From this link: "low voltage from his alternator was caused by corrosion in the assembly and mounting bolts of the alternator. When charging he discovered that whilst the front of the alternator showed zero volts relative to the engine and body, the rear showed -2v! Cleaning up the assembly and mounting bolts, and the spacer and mounting ears, solved the problem" )

Also, was the testing done before, or after, the new rectifier and regulator were fitted?

Good Luck

[nebogipfel]

I replaced the wire for the IGN switch to a new one. But still no change.
Do you still suspect the alrenator in spite that I fit new rectifier and regulator?

Mitsu, I was specifically referring to the connections within the spade connectors which plug into the alternator.

I have seen two faults occur here ...

1. Corrosion - high resistance within the wire to connector interface

2. Flexture fracture of the wire within the plastic sleeve.

Both can be easily checked/fixed by fitting new connectors to the wires.

To eliminate the poor earth possibility Richard has mentioned (above) you could clamp a jump lead from the alternator body to a known good earthing point.

If the above is all OK I would still strongly suspect the alternator.

Good Luck

[Elanman99]

Mitsu

You say a repair shop tested the alternator, but from your description your did some work on the alternator afterwards (replacing the 'rectifier' and 'generator'). An alternator does have a rectifier but I am not sure that is what you may have replaced. Apart from the stator and rotor windings, the alternator contains a set of diodes and an electronic regulator and any of these could be faulty in your case.

If the alternator is the Lucas unit usually fitted to Elans then it is all self contained and most people just get an exchange unit (new or rebuilt as new) rather than getting it repaired. One part though, that is serviceable is the carbon brush set, these rarely fail but are definitely worth checking if the wiring appears correct and its still not charging.

Ian Phillips

[Boston]

Sorry for my unclear explanation:
The electrical shop said that it is working and they suggested to clean up the terminals. I re-installed it . But the lamp still does not go out. My friend suggested that the rectifier and/or the regulator in the LUCAS alternator may be damaged. I replaced them to the new ones. But, the lamp does not go out. I also replaced the thin wire connecting to the IGN lamp.
All my attempts failed.


Mitsu

[Yum-yum]

Mitsu,
This is a long shot so take it for what it is worth, but is the lamp glowing bright or dim? On my car the shield around the lamp is not perfect so light from the gauge panel lamp leaks through from behind (when the panel lights are turned on) and at night it looks like the ignition lamp is dimly lit. This fooled me for a while as I thought I had a small current leak until I figured it out.
Alex