Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Corvette
Corvette
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 03-04-2012, 03:11 PM   #1
Stale Trooper
AF Regular
 
Stale Trooper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Haysville, Kansas
Posts: 126
Thanks: 7
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
1978 Corvette generator light glowing with car shut off

I'm working on a C-3 1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette. One issue I have is with the "GEN" lamp showing a slight glow, even with the key shut off, doors closed, and no known parasitic drain in use (Radio, alarm, etc.) I'm not totally familiar with the car; and it has 90K on the clock which appear to be accurate. Any help would be appreciated!
__________________
Stale Trooper
'05 CVPI
(My '99 got wiped out with 238,513 miles on the clock, stupid woman driver)

It's White, with a black grille, a spotlight, and the butt is black. Need a picture? Thought not
Stale Trooper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2012, 06:37 PM   #2
DeltaP
AF Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
Posts: 953
Thanks: 13
Thanked 121 Times in 120 Posts
Re: 1978 Corvette generator light glowing with car shut off

I would check the alternator. Could be one or more diodes or the regulator is bad.
DeltaP is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to DeltaP For This Useful Post:
Stale Trooper (03-06-2012)
Old 03-06-2012, 08:05 AM   #3
Stale Trooper
AF Regular
Thread starter
 
Stale Trooper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Haysville, Kansas
Posts: 126
Thanks: 7
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Re: 1978 Corvette generator light glowing with car shut off

Thanks DeltaP, After I posted the question it occurred to me to get the alternator & whole charging system tested. I can't do it right now as the interior is being replaced, and it would be difficult to drive 15 miles to the nearest parts stores for a diagnostic test. I'll do that as soon as I get it back on the road.
__________________
Stale Trooper
'05 CVPI
(My '99 got wiped out with 238,513 miles on the clock, stupid woman driver)

It's White, with a black grille, a spotlight, and the butt is black. Need a picture? Thought not
Stale Trooper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2012, 10:18 AM   #4
j cAT
AF Fanatic
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: EVERETT, Massachusetts
Posts: 10,898
Thanks: 8
Thanked 432 Times in 431 Posts
Re: 1978 Corvette generator light glowing with car shut off

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stale Trooper View Post
Thanks DeltaP, After I posted the question it occurred to me to get the alternator & whole charging system tested. I can't do it right now as the interior is being replaced, and it would be difficult to drive 15 miles to the nearest parts stores for a diagnostic test. I'll do that as soon as I get it back on the road.
remove the connector on the rear of the alternator . if the light goes out the alternator has a problem. removal of the alternator and finding a parts store like autozone they have a bench tester.

test is free ..
j cAT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2012, 11:22 AM   #5
MagicRat
Nothing scares me anymore
 
MagicRat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: City of Light
Posts: 10,702
Thanks: 12
Thanked 82 Times in 77 Posts
Re: 1978 Corvette generator light glowing with car shut off

Quote:
Originally Posted by j cAT View Post
remove the connector on the rear of the alternator . if the light goes out the alternator has a problem. removal of the alternator and finding a parts store like autozone they have a bench tester.

test is free ..
Just to clarify.... just remove the 2-wire plug, not the single wire with the bolt-on terminal at the end.
MagicRat is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to MagicRat For This Useful Post:
Stale Trooper (03-15-2012)
Old 03-15-2012, 11:37 PM   #6
Stale Trooper
AF Regular
Thread starter
 
Stale Trooper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Haysville, Kansas
Posts: 126
Thanks: 7
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Re: 1978 Corvette generator light glowing with car shut off

Thanks to all who responded!! We got it fixed, using the KISS method. I took it to 2 different parts chains and both tested it; It worked perfectly, and was producing 14.95V. When we put it back in place, & hooked everything up, the light remained OFF. I'm pretty sure it was just a bad ground on a 34 year old car, with 90,355 miles. HOODATHUNKIT??
Thanks guys!

BTW, We're giving this 25h Anniversary Edition Corvette away July 21, 2012 at the 25th Annual Kansas Veterans & Family Reunion in support of the Honor Flight Program for WWII veterans & The Wounde Warrior Project for our returning veterans coming back from Afghanistan & Iraq. A $20 donation gets you registered to possibly own it! PM me for details.
__________________
Stale Trooper
'05 CVPI
(My '99 got wiped out with 238,513 miles on the clock, stupid woman driver)

It's White, with a black grille, a spotlight, and the butt is black. Need a picture? Thought not
Stale Trooper is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Car shuts off with turn signals p31186 Intrigue 1 12-11-2010 06:48 PM
Radio wont shut off when car shuts off and door opens 95aurora83 Aurora 2 02-26-2009 07:22 PM
battery light flickers and car shuts off 99 windstar mtp_m Windstar 9 11-09-2008 07:46 PM
radio wont shut off when car shuts off and door opens newscarver Aurora 2 02-07-2008 06:08 PM
98 Golf coolant warning light comes on car shuts off rlatimer Golf 7 11-10-2004 02:52 PM

Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Corvette

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:38 PM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts