Electrical. 63. Gen light

[Kim K Kaiser]

As i hv become a gauge watcher.  I thoight i would hok up a tachomeyer and the little lights on the three gauge unit so i can see at night.

So, i put the green wire to the neg, red to power source, and blck ground.  It worked, so nxt went to those tiny gauge lights,  i put a alligater clip on the instrument fuse for temp test, and grounded, didnt work. So i turned on the car, and the gen light came on and stayed on.  Wtf!    So i unhooked everything i had fooled with.   Started, same result. Gen light on.

Got meter, tested w car on,  14.24 to 14.4 on meter. 

12.7 to 12.8. car off, 12.6 to 12 8 w car on w brights on.

So i cked VR ground, it was tight.  [Its only about year or so old]  I cked alt,  oddly enough, the ground wire wasnot attached, i guess the nut vibrated off because i hvnt touched it since rebuild.  So i reattched, statrred car. Same result, gen light on. 

I then realized that when i turn the key, before ignition, the gen light usually comes on but now, it doesnt until it starts, almost in reverse of usual operation.

Any idea what i hv done to cause this and how to ck and rectify?

[Kim K Kaiser]

Hmmm,   glad to know there are those who understand power.   Thanks Mark.

Continuiing this a little,  where should i hook the power wire to the little gauge bulbs?  

[Kim K Kaiser]

Ok,  well, i had to google what a fusible link was, so its basically a lower resistance wire you attach inbetween the fuse box and the accessory you arecadding, so that if it overheats the wire. The link will burn before the overheating of the wire gets to the fuse box, is that correct?

Because its a nighttime option, would i be lookkngbfor dash lights or headlight wires to attach to.  

[Kim K Kaiser]

Thanks Tony.  Im try8ng to find the wires now.   

[Kim K Kaiser]

They look like regular bulbs.  I dnt care about dimming. Just want them on for night driving.

I did change fuse and all is bk to normal.  Gen turns on when key is switched over, then fades out when engine starts.  Glad it was only a fuse