Weird Gen 1 Light issue

[frontiersman]

Have an 84 M1008. Everything works except speedo and a couple of the blackout lights. Anyway, both Gen 1 and Gen 2 lights have always worked as they should. Starter went out and I replaced it with a 24v gear reduction. Quite a task. So now, the Gen 1 light never comes on, even when you first turn the key on. Gen 1 is charging correctly, and I replaced the bulb in the Gen 1 indicator. It almost seems to me like the ignition wire going to the starter has a naked spot and is keeping the circuit closed (I did have to reroute the wire some to make it fit). Could this be possible? I have no other ideas. Thanks in advance.

 

[tim292stro]

Fusible links are what you should look at first.

About the speedo, it's fully mechanical, so it's not an electrical issue.

 

[frontiersman]

I know whats wrong with the speedo, just haven't fixed it yet. Where should I start looking at fusible links?

 

[frontiersman]

After looking at the wiring diagrams, it occurred to me that if a fuseable link were blown between Gen 1 and the idiot light, then that light would stay on. If a fuseable link were blown in the ignition wiring, then the starter wouldn't crank. Starter cranks, and the Gen 1 light never comes on, yet the alternator is charging correctly. Dumb question, but is one of the little starter wires supposed to hot all the time?

 

[cpf240]

How do you know it is charging correctly? What voltage readings are you getting?

 

[frontiersman]

Using a multimeter, Gen 1 is producing 14.6 volts, Gen 2 is producing 28.8 volts. Makes no sense, it has to be wire somewhere in the 12v system causing the problem. Very strange that the problem started after replacing the starter.

 

[motorstormer]

Did you figure out what the problem was. My gen 1 light didn't come on this morning and my volt gauge barely got in the green, it usually gets all the way up.

 

[cucvrus]

Generator/oil lights. Usually something you an fix by reaching up under the dash while the key is on and wiggle the bulb/socket in the cluster. Works most times for me if that occurs. Remove the offending bulb/socket and clean and bend the contacts and reinstall.

 

[motorstormer]

Does the bulb effect how the generator works?

 

[cucvrus]

Yes the Gen 1 Gen 2 light must be operational in order for the alternator to charge. It is part of the exciter circuit.

 

[motorstormer]

Yes the Gen 1 Gen 2 light must be operational in order for the alternator to charge. It is part of the exciter circuit.

Thank you for the help and teaching me something today I will go out and look at it on my lunch break.

 

[frontiersman]

Found the problem. When I had to slightly reroute the 12v ignition wire from the key switch to the starter solenoid it had a small naked spot that I couldn't see which from time to time was grounding and causing the 12v circuit to stay closed, hence Gen 1 light would not come on. Fixed the problem. Hope this helps someone else.