Ignition light stays on. Dimley

[Mike J]

Did an E J Ward Water pump EWP refit some years ago. Have lived with the ignition light on for a while. But now its driving me bonkers . Haven't used the car for about a year but the battery seems to be draining. Even when fully charged and new battery about 6months ago. Have checked if there is a drain through fuse box, no sign. Can only be starter motor or alternator . Any ideas how I can check.

Many thanks in advance,

Mike

[Goldstar]

Start the car and run it then check the voltage through the battery with a multimeter. It should be 13.8-14.4 ish. Chances are it will be reading 12.6 (or fewer) volts as it sounds like your alternator isn’t charging the battery.

[bullstarz]

sounds like one of the diodes in the regulator might have gone. This will cause this all to happen.

[Mike J]

Many thanks OK so the battery isn,t charging. Is the regulator in the alternator? If so can it be changed or do I need a new alternator.?

[MandM]

Pardon my ignorance, but aren't the diodes in/on the rectifier and the regulator is just what it says (regulates the voltage), from when I rebuilt my alternator the regulator is changeable on the car but the rectifier is not
P1090582.jpg that's if you have a 18ACR.

lucus fault diagnosis service manual.pdf

[Welsh_Stag]

I had the same problem. In my case, a new alternator sorted the issue. Should the diode pack be the cause, I'm not sure if\where a replacement can be purchased.

[wilf]

You can buy 18ACR overhaul kits that have both rectifier and regulator. (plus bearings and brushes)

The issue is what is actually inside your existing alternator as there are a lot of "18ACR look-alikes" out there with varying internal compnents.

[NeilR]

Is it an orginal 18ACR, or original 11ACR with separate Regulator ?

[MandM]

I will add that I changed my regulator back to the old Lucas one just to check that it work and it worked fine, so now keep that as a spare , I did it on the car but my alternator is now on the nearside up the top, should still be possible down below but a lot harder, especially if you have an auto.

sometime just the bushes just need changing but who knows without some investigation.

[DJT]

Having had three new alternators fail in quick succession - two in warranty, the third out of warranty - I bought a diode/rectifier kit online and replaced the ones in the third failure myself. Still going over 5 years (18,000 miles) later. Boy, was I glad I relocated the alternator to the top LHS of the engine when fitting the first one?

[Mike J]

OK after numerous tests and blue air, seems the alternator is the problem, Have ordered a replacement from E J Ward They supplied the original, sadly now out of warranty. Don't think I've done 500 miles since original one was fitted. Will see if the new one sorts the problem. Must say Wards were very helpful . Lets see how things progress.
Thank you all for your input.

[NeilR]

Not even lasted 500 miles !!!!, that's appalling, Wards should be ashamed of themselves for supplying that, they should change it free of charge !.

[wilf]

My last one didn't quite make 1000 miles, but the supplier (not Wards) did replace it.

Chinesium eh?

[Mike J]

Oh well that didnt work. Apparently Alternator out of warranty. OK i fitted it about 2 1/2 years ago but reported to Wards that the ignition light was on from day one. Was informed that I must have a faulty earth. Lived with it but battery still draining. Wasnt using the car a lot so no major issue. On a trickle charger so short distances ..etc wasn't a problem.. Dived further into the issue when car was used as a getaway for a wedding. Alternator seepage. Bought a new alternator from wards fitted and no problem since. Returned alternator to Wards who confirmed out of warranty..
As a note to all who have EWPs .Wards say..... Only use Blue coolant. Do not use Radweld. Do not use chemicals to clean the cooling system .
Still happy with the EWP despite. Hay Ho. Minus £100 is nothing to be stagnatious.