Check Gauge
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,643
Likes: 2,571
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Well, if the voltmeter isn't showing a proper charging range then I'm pretty certain that's the reason for your "check gauges" light.
You said you just changed the alternator and then this happened.... my guess is that you either received a bad rebuild, and/or you damaged the exciter wire (little red wire that connects to the top of the alternator) during the swap. That exciter wire is very delicate and can easily get pulled out of the connector and/or damaged while swapping the alternator. The exciter wire provides initial voltage to the alternator when you turn on the ignition, and the unit won't charge if it's not making proper contact. Based on what you've posted so far, that's where I would start.
You said you just changed the alternator and then this happened.... my guess is that you either received a bad rebuild, and/or you damaged the exciter wire (little red wire that connects to the top of the alternator) during the swap. That exciter wire is very delicate and can easily get pulled out of the connector and/or damaged while swapping the alternator. The exciter wire provides initial voltage to the alternator when you turn on the ignition, and the unit won't charge if it's not making proper contact. Based on what you've posted so far, that's where I would start.
