Dear Tom and Ray:

The generator light on my 1980 Chevy Citation stays dimly lit most of the time. But I've taken it to a mechanic and the alternator has checked out fine. What's the problem? Tom

Tom: The problem is the guy who checked your alternator, Tom. Alternators aren't like lightbulbs, which either work or don't work. Alternators can "sort of work."

Ray: Kind of like my brother.

Tom: Very funny. Seriously, Tom, the question is not whether your alternator is putting out electricity. It IS. The question is whether it's putting out ENOUGH electricity. And yours isn't.

Ray: And that's why the generator light is on. The fact that it's on dimly means that your alternator is just slightly under-producing. If it wasn't working at all, the light would be shining brightly.

Tom: You need either a new alternator, or a new voltage regulator (which is built into the alternator on this car). If I were you, I'd get a rebuilt alternator, which should cost you around a hundred bucks.

Tom and Ray share secrets mechanics don't want you to know in their pamphlet Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It! To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1992 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Back to the July 1992 index