Dash lights w/ failed alternator?

[Huw Powell]

> > Deteriorating splice in the alternator-to-battery cable?
>
> Knew you were going to say that..  I just found the splice, and there's
> no visible damage, unless it's under the heat-shrink insulation- I'll jump
> it again and make sure it doesn't heat up.
>
> Still, that wouldn't explain the dash lights, would it?  All the exterior
> lighting was working, as was the lighting on the radio and the window
> controls-- just not the dash.

it also wouldn't really explain the total death of the battery's charge.

You should disconnect the battery ground cable, hook it back up with an
ammeter in line (most multimeters have a current setting).  Start high,
using the one rated at 10 amps, note the current draw with everything
off.  If it is more than a 100 mA or so, start pulling fuses - see if
removing one makes the current drop a lot.  If it does, you at least
know what branch of the wiring a short or malfunctioning device is on.

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/