Club 80-90 Forums

I have a small wire coming from my thicker alternator cable that has snapped from the spade terminal.
I haven't attempted to re-attach it yet because I'll have to take a piece off of the thick cable in order to create space to fit it.
Can someone tell me if this is important?

T I A

Does the light still go out on the dash when you start the engine, I think that's the wire that sends the signal to the clocks.

Yes the light goes out. What clocks ?

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clock/dash. Where does the wire go? Black box in engine bay?

Ah, so is that why my clock has never shown the time. Thanks.

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"Clocks" means speedo, fuel gauge etc. Clock ie timepiece has nothing to do with wire on alternator, whether digital or analogue.

The wire you have loose is probably for the manifold preheater, the wire to the dashboard light is from another terminal (D+) on the alternator.

A manifold preheater!

Many thanks

Can you post a picture of the wire ??
There's usually only one 'small' wire from the alternator and that drives your battery warning light.
Does your battery warning light come on when you turn the key to the first position (i.e. before the engine starts)

[img]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016052 ... 83de01.jpg[/img]

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The blue wire above is the one that's loose, there is a spade connection on the bolt next to it.

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Yes, that certainly looks like the wire that goes to the battery warning light;
It is important because;
a) it drives the warning light that will tell you if your alternator has packed up (which is also usually a useful secondary indication of when you alternator/water pump belt has snapped)
b) some alternators need that wire to be in place for the alternator to start working (although more modern alternators are 'self-exciting' so this may not be an issue)
c) if you have a split charge relay to charge your leisure battery (if you have one if those) - then chances are that this wire also drives that relay!!

Have you checked to see if your battery warning light comes on with ignition key in first position (but engine not running) - with this wire snapped that warning light should never come on)
Or if you have a split charge relay then chances are that the light will be on all the time (as it will ground through the relay) - but might be a bit dimmer?

Midlifecrisis; Many thanks for that, I'll fit it back on to the spade connector and see if anything else lights up.