dash lights stay on

[jblueridge]

The lights for various items in the dash that come on just before the key activates the starter, those lights stay on while the engine is running.
Turbo green and orange, Filter and Alternator lights.
I checked the battery terminals and the main ground. That stuff is fine.
Alternator light is one that stays on but the gauge reads 26V or so while engine runs.
Ideas? Where is the main ground or grounds for the dash?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Where is the main ground or grounds for the dash?

Where the gauges panel fixes to the metal dash frame from memory. It usually makes the gauges go haywire when there is a problem

 

[jblueridge]

I took the drivers side dash apart and removed the gauge cluster. Nothing to see.
Checked Engine and Charge fuses. They are fine.
Removed kick panel and found the ground point above and slightly rear of the fuse box. Unscrewed the bolt there and polished up the body metal and the almost rectangular "ring" terminal the 2 ground wires are crimped onto. Re assembled: dash lights stayed on.
Tested alternator output voltage and found it was 24V.. Manual says it should be 27V at idle. Replaced external voltage regulator with new OEM. Lights still stay on.

Not sure how to test alternator current output... one of those clamp meters?

Any ideas welcome.
Thanks.

 

[coldtaco]

Normally, emphasis on normally , dash lights on means alternator problems.

 

[jblueridge]

Yeah, I just don’t want to take it out before checking everything.
The closest automotive electric shop is over an hour away.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Not sure how to test alternator current output... one of those clamp meters?

This is not a bad video

 

[jblueridge]

Yes, that video is very good!
Thanks.
If I can’t find the culprit with the multimeter, I’ll get the alternator out and get it to a shop.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Yes, that video is very good!
Thanks.
If I can’t find the culprit with the multimeter, I’ll get the alternator out and get it to a shop.

There are other videos showing how to bench test them yourself

 

[jblueridge]

Yes, of course it is the alternator at fault.
I’ll get it out tomorrow.