Flickering charging light - regulator query.

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what2do
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Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

Recently replaced the regulator as the red light had begun to flicker, only at high rpm initially and then progressively it would illuminate more often, at most rpm and stay illuminated. When I extracted the original regulator one of the brushes was left behind! Don't know if it had already fallen out or if it was when I removed the regulator. Needless to say I left it behind as I couldn't see it and didn't gave time to remove the alternator to go looking for it. New regulator fitted and I now have a flicker every time I blip the throttle (stationary on the drive), just flickering not remaining illuminated.

I think I've covered all the details, any ideas on what is afoot here and need I be concerned?

Thanks.
Last edited by what2do on 15 Jun 2017, 20:33, edited 1 time in total.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Mine flickers although it is charging over 14v. Has done for ages, I put it down to voltage loss on the main electrics side compared to the exciter output as any voltage difference will show up as the bulb illuminating.I haven't worried about it once I had reasoned out what was possibly going on. If you are happy that it is charging fine at a decent voltage I would just put it down to one of those quirks of these vans. To attempt to cure it would mean uprating the cable to the front which for me just isn't worthwhile.
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itchyfeet
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by itchyfeet »

If the blue wire was faulty this may well do the same.

My memory tells me your blue wire was disconnected and and somebody before you had it ran a new wire to the dash and spliced it in to replace the origional.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say the replacement wire is clear insulation with a scotch lock at the dash end

Is my memory good or am I remembering somebody else who came round my house for free meantenance :lol:
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what2do
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by what2do »

itchyfeet wrote:If the blue wire was faulty this may well do the same.

My memory tells me your blue wire was disconnected and and somebody before you had it ran a new wire to the dash and spliced it in to replace the origional.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say the replacement wire is clear insulation with a scotch lock at the dash end

Is my memory good or am I remembering somebody else who came round my house for free meantenance :lol:



MEANtenance, your word not mine :rofl

Is that when an offer of help is reluctantly given?
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

what2do
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by what2do »

With the brush being carbon is it safe to say that if it gets caught up on something, it'll just 'grind' away without causing any harm?
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

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Oldiebut goodie
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

itchyfeet wrote:If the blue wire was faulty this may well do the same.

My memory tells me your blue wire was disconnected and and somebody before you had it ran a new wire to the dash and spliced it in to replace the origional.


Yep, lower voltage either side of the bulb will do it, usually as the blue carries no load after the alternator starts the voltage is good but with bodged wiring with, yuk, scotchlocks the chance of lower voltage is there.
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itchyfeet
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by itchyfeet »

what2do wrote:
MEANtenance, your word not mine :rofl

Is that when an offer of help is reluctantly given?

:lol: no it's when you are too mean to put it into a garage :lol:

Go on look under the dash up at the 14 pin dash connector, no need to take anything appart to see it.
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by Aidan »

flickering light can be a sign of earth dropping out due to bracket fracturing and alternator moving about, barely noticeable sometimes in daylight or at idle more so at revs and worse hot than cold and check the studs and nuts that retain bracket to engine, not totally uncommon for them to shear

what2do
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by what2do »

Aidan wrote:flickering light can be a sign of earth dropping out due to bracket fracturing and alternator moving about, barely noticeable sometimes in daylight or at idle more so at revs and worse hot than cold and check the studs and nuts that retain bracket to engine, not totally uncommon for them to shear


I shall have a good look at them at the first opportunity. Thanks.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

what2do
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by what2do »

itchyfeet wrote:
what2do wrote:
MEANtenance, your word not mine :rofl

Is that when an offer of help is reluctantly given?

:lol: no it's when you are too mean to put it into a garage :lol:

Go on look under the dash up at the 14 pin dash connector, no need to take anything appart to see it.


I don't need to go and look. We both know you're correct! :ok
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

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itchyfeet
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by itchyfeet »

If it's the alternator fixings that 'new' engine will fix it, just sayin :D

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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by what2do »

I can't blame the wine I had with dinner because I only had the 1 glass but for the life of me I can't make out what's going on in the last pic. Clues please.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

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itchyfeet
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by itchyfeet »

Alternator bracket being fixed, you have the engine so go take a look :D
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by Oldiebut goodie »

Holding the stud whilst tightening the nut or are you looking at something else?
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Re: Flickering charging light.

Post by itchyfeet »

Oldiebut goodie wrote:Holding the stud whilst tightening the nut or are you looking at something else?
:ok
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