In my 71 Eldorado the "generator" light on the dash stays illuminated after the car has been started. I have replaced the alternator with a new AC Delco piece, have a new battery, a new coil, changed all the fuses, and checked all connections religiously. However, the generator light nevers goes out after starting the car.

Haynes book mentions an external voltage regulator but I searched the car over and over and there is not one installed. Unfortunately, the book doesn't say exactly where it is installed on the car. I believe the new alternator has an internal regulator plus the wires indicate there is no external regulator in play, meaning the install of the alternator was plug-n-play.

I've pulled the negative battery cable while the car was running and the car continues to run with the negative cable disengaged.

The car seems to start fine and will run. The car is relatively new to me and I have only run it max 20 minutes.

Help!

i'd say check the wires to the generator bulb and see if there grounding out, or take the bulb out. if its running fine then i dont see a problem. also, maybe take it to sears or autozone and have the charging system checked? couldnt hurt

Look at the side of the alternator, if the two spade connections look like
this | | (side by side) then you have the external regulator. If the connections look like this -- -- (end to end) then you have the internal reg. Let us know which one you have.

Also, get a digital meter and measure voltage at the battery while engine is running. Should be 14.2 to 14.6 volts.

Oftentimes charging system problems are caused by bad ground connections. A few places to check. Alternator body to mounting bolts, regulator mounting to sheet metal, negative battery cable, grounding strap from engine block to frame, etc....... you get the picture. I have solved many mysterious problems by adding a ground wire from alternator body to the frame or negative battery cable.

Good luck.

Thanks for the tips. I have the -- -- style. So, I am running with an internal regulator. That answers that.

It seems I did check the voltage at one point and it seemed fine. I will double check it again to be sure.

My negative battery cable has some non stock looking tape on it where the altenator wire comes in. I think I'll take that apart to ensure the connection is truly good. I tugged on it and it seemd firm, but perhaps the tape is holding it all together.

Try revving the hell outta your engine. Mine went on at low rpms and wouldn't go out untill I revved the engine. Doesn't do that anymore though.

Is the brightness of the light the same key on, engine off? or car running. If its dimmer with the engine running, then you have some shorted diodes inside the alternator.

The brightness of the light does not change.

I believe I've come to the conclusion I'll just remove the bulb and not worry about it.