Some on you might remember me from the post that I did about a month ago regarding my 240's no spark/start problem. Well, I changed the ignition switch ( thanks to Chuck's advice) and the car now starts and runs OK. The warning lights on the dash still don't come on light they used to (except for parking brake and o/d off light) when the key is in position II. When I ground the exciter wire from the alternator, they do in fact light up as they used to. What does this mean? BTW, I soldered in new wires to replace the damaged ones in my engine bay harness. The problem was still present before I did this. My guess is that the alternator is bad.

Any suggestions??

Dave

I would try a voltage regulator first.It is replaceable separate from the alternator.Did the lights work before you changed the ignition switch? If they did perhaps you got the wrong switch.The way it works is that there is a path to ground thru the regulator when the key is in position 2.Once the engine starts and the alternator starts charging that ground path becomes alternator voltage and the lights go out because there is positive voltage on both sides of the bulb.The oil pressure and emergency brake warning lights are controlled by different grounds.

The lights still weren't working before I put in the other ignition switch. I'll try that voltage regulator tomorrow. Can I take it off with the alternator still on the car? Looks like there are two screws holding it on there.

Thanks,
Dave

As lucid suggests, check the short blue ground wire from the alt. casing to the block for proper/firm connections.

It's a bit hard accessing the voltage regulator while the alt is in the car. Plus those slotted screws may be tight. (Could replace them with Robertson's so they're easier to remove next time.)
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb and M46 trans

don't know if this helps, but in my 144 it was the regulator. It had the Motorola alternator with a seperate regulator mounted on the front fender. I accidently got the wired disconected at one time, (simulating a bad regulator), and when the key was in II, the only lamps that lit up was the oil and the parking brake. I checked the engine bay, discovered the disconected wires, and lo! all the other lights were back on in II.
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1974 144DL Euro specs ( Single Zenith Carbs!)