308 Generator Light on when car is off | FerrariChat
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308 Generator Light on when car is off

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by CarreraScott, Nov 19, 2008.

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  1. CarreraScott

    CarreraScott Formula Junior

    Jan 30, 2004
    592
    Charlottesville, VA
    #1 CarreraScott, Nov 19, 2008
    1980 308 GTSi

    My Generator (red battery) light is coming on but only when the car is completely off... either key is in off position, or key is completely removed (and the light stays on). If I turn the key to ON or start the car, the light goes off and stays off. I think I'm not getting charge from the alternator (checked voltage at the battery with the engine running and it never went above 12v, even with revving). But wondering if this is something else -- seems kind of odd to me that this light is coming on when the car is off and key is removed.


    Stupid guy disclaimer: I accidentally hooked a new battery up backwards...doh. Even tried to start the car this way. Switched it back and found I blew a fuse for the dash gauges, fixed that. Everything seems to work fine otherwise. Car starts right up and everything else electrical is working fine, as far as I have noticed...

    Just wondering if anyone has heard of this light being on with the car off...

    Thanks!
     
  2. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
    7,645
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Greg Calo
    #2 GCalo, Nov 19, 2008
    You may have toasted your regulator!
     
  3. CarreraScott

    CarreraScott Formula Junior

    Jan 30, 2004
    592
    Charlottesville, VA
    #3 CarreraScott, Nov 19, 2008
    I think I toasted something, but what I don't know. Unfortunately there aren't any F mechanics within an hour of me. Any quick and easy way to tell if it's the alternator or the regulator? Just seems odd to me that a warning light goes on after the car is off... (and key is out)...but isn't on when the car is actually running.
     
  4. GCalo

    GCalo F1 Veteran

    Sep 15, 2004
    7,645
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Greg Calo
    #4 GCalo, Nov 19, 2008
    Sounds like the regulator is opened when no power to it. If your battery runs down then you have an answer.

    That's why it sounds like it's toast.

    No mechanic near you?

    Any board wizards nearby that can help out here?
     
  5. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,224
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #5 PAP 348, Nov 20, 2008
    I reckon you fried the diode pack in the alternator. :):)

    I just called my auto-elec mate at work to confirm. I told him you hooked the battery up incorrectly and he reckons you fried the diode pack in the alternator. Hooking the battery up incorrectly will do it everytime he said. :):)

    Alt wont charge now and you will have to replace it. You cannot repair diode packs. Best to just overhaul the alternator he said or buy an exchange one or new one, whatever you want. :):)
     
  6. Modeler

    Modeler F1 Veteran

    May 19, 2008
    7,330
    State of confusion
    Full Name:
    a.n.other
    #6 Modeler, Nov 20, 2008
    +1

    Yep yep!

    Reversed the polarity = bad thing.
     
  7. CarreraScott

    CarreraScott Formula Junior

    Jan 30, 2004
    592
    Charlottesville, VA
    #7 CarreraScott, Nov 20, 2008
    Thanks guys. I'll see if I can find someone to work on it. Luckily it seems like pretty much everything else is working fine...
     
  8. CarreraScott

    CarreraScott Formula Junior

    Jan 30, 2004
    592
    Charlottesville, VA
    #8 CarreraScott, Nov 20, 2008
    It's time for a major anyway, Ferrari of Washington is gonna do it next week. Figure she'll be all ready in the spring for some fun times. :)

    Better investment than stocks, right?
     
  9. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,856
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #9 FasterIsBetter, Nov 20, 2008
    Scott,

    If it's the alternator, it can easily be rebuilt at a reasonable price by any number of shops. There is nothing uniquely "Ferrari" about the alternator. It's just a Bosch alternator. So if the dealer says the alternator is fried and you need a new one, ask them to either send it out for rebuilding to a local auto electric shop, or ask them to give you the alternator and you'll get it rebuilt. You do not need a "new" one.
     
  10. CarreraScott

    CarreraScott Formula Junior

    Jan 30, 2004
    592
    Charlottesville, VA
    #10 CarreraScott, Nov 20, 2008
    Gotcha, I'll specify that. I know it's a "cheap" part in the Ferrari world. ;)
     
  11. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Sep 15, 2004
    5,465
    VIR Raceway
    Full Name:
    Peter Krause
    #11 ProCoach, Nov 20, 2008
    Diode trio...
     

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