Help! Check Gages Light On

[skitch]

My 90 Convertible check gages light as come on. All the gages read fine. When the car starts up, its not on, but slowly comes on just after 30 seconds or so.All the fluilds are full and its charging fine. Anyone have ideas. I looked in the Factory Service Manual with no luck.
Thanks
Skitch:bash

 

[LT4man]

You say the charging voltage is fine.

Exactly what voltage is the alternator charging?

 

[skitch]

Well gage goes from 8 to 18 on the scale, its reading about 2/3's the way up. I just went out and started it up and checked. It could be reading alittle high, but because I have not driven it in awhile.

 

[air1jpg]

Well gage goes from 8 to 18 on the scale, its reading about 2/3's the way up. I just went out and started it up and checked. It could be reading alittle high, but because I have not driven it in awhile.

I forget, does a '90 have the digital guages as well? If so, what does the digital readout show?

 

[skitch]

I forget, does a '90 have the digital guages as well? If so, what does the digital readout show?

The 90 model only has analog gages, this was the first year of the nes designed dash.

 

[air1jpg]

I'd have your battery checked. If your charging voltage reading is high enough, your alternator maybe trying to charge a aging battery that is not holding a charge like it should. Many auto parts stores will check your battery for free. The highest my digital guage has read was 14.x volts. If yours is reading higher, I bet you need to replace your battery.

 

[LT4man]

The reason I asked what your charging rate was is because one of the functions of the Gauge Light is to tell you when the charging rate is too low or too high.

I would have your charging system and battery checked. Either one could trigger your light.

 

[skitch]

Thanks Guys, All indications point towards the charging system. The battery is less than two years old, but the alt. is original. The gage is reading alittle on the high side. I think I'll have the alt. checked. If its bad, I'll have it rebuilt to keep the original parts on the car.