Red light in tach

[cologriz]

Can someone tell me what the red light in the tach is telling me? If the tach was a clock it is at 6 oclock, and just recently came on. I looked in my manual but did not find anything explaining what it is for.
Thanks in advance,
Doug

[4uall]

Is it possible that it is the low battery indicator?

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18878

[kilrwail]

Have the symbols been removed? Not a good idea, because in my car the red light at 5:30 on the clock face is oil pressure; the one at 6:30 is for the charging system - neither of which would be a good sign. Do you have an oil pressure gauge? If not, get a mechanical one ASAP if it's the light at 5:30 that came on. And check the oil level and top it up before running the engine!

[81SPIDERMATT]

knowing the year of the car will help those in the know to answer your question.... mine is an 81 and has 2 lights both marked ... one is battery and one is oil..i am sorry that i do not know more but help is on the way... would have sold my long ago without the help of everyone here.... . welcome to the madness and the love... got any pics??

[kmac33]

Depending on year, it should be the "alternator light". Should light up when ignition is in the on position, but turn off when the car is started (if alternator is charging correctly). If this bulb burns out, the alternator excitor circuit isn't complete and the car won't charge - that is why it lights up when the ignition is switched "on" so you know the bulb is good.

[kilrwail]

I see from his signature that it's a 1971, which should help to narrow it down.

[cologriz]

It is a 1971 124 spider. It is the only light I see in the tach. I will be sure to check the oil level and charging system.
The light never goes off. It just started this yesterday.
If anyone has any other ideas leave me a note..

Thanks
Doug

[azruss]

sounds like you blew a diode in your alternator. with the car running, put a volt meter across the battery terminals. If it is reading 12.v or less, then your alternator is not charging. should be in the 13.5 to14.5 range.

[Exit98]

Like they said, your charging system isn't working. Your battery will be dead soon.

Check the easy stuff first. Alternator belt tight? Check the connetions at the alternator, make sure they are clean and tight. Sometimes the alternator slides down the bracket so the belt's not turning the pulley.

There's an extenal regulator. On my 76 it's on the DS inner fender, a rectangular thing. I was playing around with some wires around there and inavertently pulled one of the spade fittings off the bottom of it. Didn't see it, red light came on, found and put it back on, light went off.

Think the big auto parts stores with check the alternator for free or cheap. By me there's still an old timer or two that rebuilds them. Guy did mine for $60.

Good luck.

[toplessexpat]

If your alternator really is dead - and you've got a couple of $ spare - then a replacement 95A alternator is a great upgrade for these cars.

[4uall]

+10 for 95Amp upgrade

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... alternator

[kmac33]

If your alternator really is dead - and you've got a couple of $ spare - then a replacement 95A alternator is a great upgrade for these cars.

Ditto.

[cologriz]

Thanks everyone. I'll be working on this in the garage this weekend since it is supposed to snow 6 "... And I thought it was TOP DOWN weather... silly me..
Doug

[azruss]

forgot to account for your car age. You probably have an external volt regulator. this is a large rectangular box on the drivers side inner fender. if you take the cover off, you will see a couple of contacts. If one the these contacts has welded shut, it will give you no charge. the points can be separated and cleaned up with sandpaper. they will look a lot like the points in the dizzy.

[SunnySideUp]

Hopefully the Forum Administrator can move this thread to the Electrical Issues section in the Technical Area as it sure doesn't belong in New Members/Introductions.