Topic: Battery Light and Choke Light On
in Forum: C3 Electrical
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Well I just started getting my battery light and choke light on while the engine is running. The choke light will go off if the RPMs go up but the batt light stays on. I noticed the charging amps seem in the positive red zone, not sure if the guage is off or it really is that high.
FLA VETTE 2009-05-06 19:29:50
At the Alternator:
Ignition off: Bat 12V, #1 wire 0V, #2 red wire 12V
Ignition on: Bat 12V, #1 wire 12V, #2 red wire 12V
Alt was a rebuilt AC Delco, 6yrs old, < 10K miles
I guess I should pull it off and have it checked or maybe it can be checked on the car at Disc Auto?
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383.........
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
What is the voltage with it running?
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Low idle: Bat term 13.0V, T1 12.9V T2 red = 13.0V
Faster bump: Bat term 15.5V
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383.........
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Looks like the alt is over-charging, or at the very least on the high side of "normal". Might need to have the alt checked out.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Agree.....
I was surprised when I called around today to get some pricing. No AC Delco availible even rebuilts (would have to order from Ontario). NAPA has one in stock but is a generic rebuild. Maybe I should try to change out the internal voltage regulator, if I can even find one.
Is that worth even messing with?
Is there much difference between the rebuilt alternator brands?
Is it best to just get the std 70Amp since I have no electrical upgrades beyond the factory AM/FM/CB (no rear window defrost)?
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383.........
I had the exact same problem. Bad alternator and fried the battery..
Former Member
Send PM
Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
I have just located a shop manual for my 1981. I am surprised at the information that it contains. I may be able to solve the problems I am having myself!! I will keep the group posted!
Dan
Former Member
Send PM
Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
Do you have the Electronic Control Module on your car??? Maybe I can help, if you do. I have the ECM on mine.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
IF you get a replacement, be SURE to get the same amp rating as was installed at the factory. Going higher amp is ok, to a point, but really not necessary in most cases.
The regulator may well be the culprit. I've had a ton of them that over-charged the system, and blew headlight/tail-light bulbs, as well as eventually burning the batteries up....if you feel comfortable in changing the regulator yourself, I'd say go for it.
Somewhere here, there is a thread with a link to an alternator rebuild/testing procedure. Not sure when it was posted, but it seems like it was within the last year....
The regulator may well be the culprit. I've had a ton of them that over-charged the system, and blew headlight/tail-light bulbs, as well as eventually burning the batteries up....if you feel comfortable in changing the regulator yourself, I'd say go for it.
Somewhere here, there is a thread with a link to an alternator rebuild/testing procedure. Not sure when it was posted, but it seems like it was within the last year....
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
Send PM
Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
I am having problems getting the ECM to provide me with a trouble code. I checked the fuse ahead of the ECM and it is good. Manual says next step is the unplug ECM and check terminal #5. The plug has no numbers so I could not find out which was terminal #5. I do not have OBD connectin, so, I guess my next step is to take her into the shop. Wish I could have found the problem myself. Sniff, Sniff, Boo-Hoo.
Dan
in Forum: C3 Electrical
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)