Mr. Chuck New Member with Old Problem

[Mr. Chuck]

Have 81 two tone Silver / Drak Grey since it was new.
Query to anyone that has problem with a dim generator warning light, since car was flooded out in Dec 1997's Dec heavy rains here in Southern Cal. Problem went away when new generator installed as part of flood repair efforts, then in 2004 the warning light problem returned.
Anyone had similar problem and if so were you able to correct? If so how?
Also looking for any tips on a good dependable source to get the interior redone to like new.
Car currently running at 124,235 miles.

Best regards!

 

[bill81vette]

welcome to CAC,Mr Chuck, besure to check out the l-81 registry and register your vette if you have not done so yet!!!!enjoy the forums!!!

 

[MsSchroder]

Hi Mr. Chuck,

Welcome to the site, and good luck with your questions. We have lots of C3 knowledge at the CAC.

You might consider starting a new thread over in the C3 section, or the L81 subforum. You'll get more C3- experienced eyes over there.

Tammy

 

[Erik S. Klein]

Welcome to the CAC!

To be honest, flood cars are scary. Unless you pull it completely apart, replace or repair everything and then reassemble it perfectly there's always going to be something left wet or broken.

My folks had two cars flooded in the Florida Hurricanes last year and the insurance company didn't even bother with repairs, they just totaled them after a quick visual inspection.

There's probably a short somewhere in the wiring leading to the lamp caused by moisture or rotted out/porous insulation.

How extensive were the flood repairs?

Sorry to be a downer. Enjoy the forums and your C3 as well!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

The generator light comes on when theres a differential in power, voltage I assume, between two sources. It's been a while since I looked into this as part of the decision on whether or not to replace with a one or three wire alternator but as I recall that clip with the two wires on the back of the alternator is part of the circuit. Check to make sure it is tight, that the wires are solid, that there is no corrision, etc.

Also, check the charging wire. I understand it goes from the alternator to the positive terminal on the starter. If your car was flooded there is a good chance that this was underwater.

Has your battery been checked?

One way to check and see if the problem is actually a charging problem versus a gauge problem is to turn on the headlights. If the headlights shine with normal intensity and do not change as you rev the engine, all's well with the charging system and the problem is in the warning light or gauge circuit. But if the lights are dim or get brighter as you rev the engine, you have a charging system problem that requires further diagnosis.

 

[RodsnRides]

Bob is correct. I had a similar problem on a '71 Nova-dim "ALT" light. After trading with a spare alternator, and testing the old one, discovered nothing wrong. Still had that dim "ALT" light, though. Finally, the battery died. What's up? Changed the voltage regulator, same light issue.

So, on a day off, I start looking. Used a digital ohmeter to check resistance of the wires in the circuit. Sure enough, one of the wires on the alternator two-wire plug had a pinhole in it. I had given a friend a jumpstart a week or so earlier (left their lights on), and somehow the wire "blew out". The voltage drop/resistance was significantly different. It was the white wire, and you could literally see the slight discoloration in that 1" section of wire. That was an obscure find.

So, my recommmendation is to check your wiring. Go through the circuits, wire by wire, and follow through on everything. Good luck.

Rick

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Welcome Mr. Chuck!

Welcome to Corvette Action Center. Love the two-tones!
Heidi

 

[Vettefan87]

Welcome to the site. There are a bunch of good people here. Post some pictures if you get a chance.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Welcome!!!!!!

Welcome to , enjoy the great conversation and help anytime you need it. The members here are the greatest you will find anywhere!

Stay tuned in, and you will forever be changed!

Bill

 

[81 Corvette]

mine shines dimely all the time. its the least of my worries :lol:

 

[Mr. Chuck]

Thanks for the info regards charging circuit connection to starter positive terminal. The car was in water deep enough to fill the exhust pipes / system and wet the carpeting in the car's interior. Looks like putting on a new ring lug at the starter is a good starting point, once I determine no corrosion is present in the new stripped wire end. Will inform the out come!
Regards: Chuck

 

[mrvette]

If anyone is into that wiring harness, you need do some simple checks....

unplug the regulator, and measure the two wires with a DVM, looking form the backside of the alt, the MOST CLOCKWISE wire should allways have 12 volts on it....or system voltage if engine is running....

the other one will have nothing, UNTILL the ignition sw is on....that's the white wire on most replacement connectors....

the white wire runs throug the lightbult OR a piece of resistance wire, to the ignition hot side....and if the alt quits, the regulator gounds that end of the bulb, and lights the light....
now if the two wires are reversed, the alt is using the sense wire from lightbulb circuit, drawing a slight current, and lighting the bulb...dim....

so check that wiring first...

GENE

 

[Billybeau1]

Chuck, As far as your interior goes, Go to www.madvet.com . Have them send you a catalogue for your year. I replaced my whole interior, door panels, carpeting, seat covers etc. Between them and Corvette Central they have just about everything you need in your color.

Bill

 

[jdp6000]

The best pricing I got was at Willcox. I purchased my entire interior there. I shopped around prior and no one could beat them. They have several ads on Ebay as well. Here is there email...

willcox@bellsouth.net

Jim

 

[Mr. Chuck]

Thanks for the trouble shooting insight; checked and verified alternator terminals #1 & #2 are correct connected. Some years ago replace that two wire connector at the alternator with indivdual tab terminals, since the original connector housing had disintergrated with time and engine heat. So the reversed hook-up was a real possibility. One additional clue may be that the volt meter indicates alternator output voltage to be on the high side of 14 volts. The real problem may be in the regulator which is responsible for the dim light. Anyone have any information on where to find out what is an acceptable output voltage range?

 

[red70vette]

If you had insurance on the car when it was flooded I suggest you contact your agent and tell him all is not well. The reason insurance companies total flood cars and the titles are permanently marked as flood cars in most states is because these cars develope all sorts of problems. This is due to wiring, relays, and other electrical components getting wet and eventually corroding and shorting out sometimes in short order or sometimes after months or years.

You need to take this car to an expert in electrical repairs and have them give your insurance company an estimate to repair or replace most of the components.