No Ignition Light

[DannySAllen]

Hi,
A few weeks ago (before I fitted a new alternator) I noticed that the ignition light never came on. I've tried 2 different bulbs in the holder and rotating the bulb holder to see if it's just a naff connection but still no light.
All the other lights are fine, and there is nothing wrong with any of the other electrics. The battery is charging fine, all connection to the alternator are OK.
Anyone got any suggestions as to what I could try ?
Thanks, Danny

 

[Rusty]

Er, there is no such thing as an 'ignition light'

You'll have to elaborate for us

The lights the come on when you turn on the ignition are:

• Engine management
• ABS
• Oil pressure
• Airbag
• Battery
• Handbrake (if on)

So which one don't you have?

 

[tabetha]

He means the battery light.
This light is simply a bulb holder, wher eone wire goes to a live, ie that becomes live when the ignition is switched to position 2, the other side of the bulb obviously needs an earth, this it gets from the alternator terminal marked IND, this shows the battery is not being charged as we haven't started the engine yet, upon starting this circuit with live going through bulb to the alternator excites the field winding in the alternator as by now it is rotating and producing electricity, this also has the effect of flipping the current of the IND terminal to positive, and puts the warning light out, as now having live each side a bulb won't glow!
So basic checks, do you get a live at the bulb holder when switched to position 2 ?, if not find out why and fix, if you do you have a break in the other side of the bulbholder to the IND terminal of the alternator.
Even if the bulb fails revving high enough will start the charging process as there is enough residual magnetism to initiate.
tabetha

 

[DannySAllen]

Sorry, yes I mean the battery light. It hasn't worked for about 5 weeks. I will remove the bulb holder and check for continuity. If all is well there, should I take the dashboard out and have a look behind ? By feeling around, it feels like one of those plastic sheets with wires embedded in it is attached to the back of the dashboard, but I didn't have time to work out how to remove the speedo cable. Is that an easy job ?
Any tips gratefully appreciated !
Danny

 

[Rusty]

Speedo cable can be an arse, it just clips into the back of the clocks, but sometimes there is no slack to pull the clocks out to allow access.

Best to unscrew it from the gearbox first.

 

[tabetha]

As said unscrew from gearbox and push through a bit whilst taking the clocks out.
Only basic continuity test is needed on wire from clcoks to alt IND terminal.
tabetha

 

[DannySAllen]

Well, strangely enough it mysteriously started working all by itself yesterday. Must be a duff connection somewhere but while it's working I am not going to try to fix it !!
Thanks a lot for all your help - it'll all be used when it packs up again.
Cheers, Danny