'80 mini ?

[Robin F.]

My son finally had enough of his 200sx and got a '80 mini. It runs great but we have a charging issue. We replaced the alternator and we're getting 14.25v at the alternator and 13.3v at the battery, are those low readings or is it just me? With the old alternator the charge light never came on, it just quit working and it tested bad so we replaced it, now the charge light stays on all the time. I'm lost at this point, my son took the old one off and I installed the new one so it's a definate possibility that I have it hooked up wrong. Anyone got some insight?

 

[Bob_Garrett]

Robin,

Check the wire from the alternator to the regulator. I had a similar problem and initially thought the alternator was bad. Turned out most of the wire strands were broken or corroded at each of the connectors. Replacing the connectors cured the problem.

As for the charge light, some years had a charge light relay that controls the light. If it fails, the light will stay on all the time. On the 83s, it's located on the passenger side kick panel.

 

[Robin F.]

Thanks for the info Bob, I've driven it to work the past couple days and the battery seems to be charging or at least holding a charge. The voltage readings still concern me though. Does anyone have a pic or diagram of the correct way the wires hook to the alternator to include the condensor that they could pm or e-mail to me?

 

[Bob_Garrett]

Robin,

I think i have some wiring diagrams for an 80 model. I'll try to dig them out tomorrow night.