Alternator light flashing in time with turn signals

[Traveling Writer]

I noticed that when my headlights are on and I am braking (ie at a stop sign at night), and the turn signals are on, the red battery idiot light flashes in exact time with the turn signal, actually exactly reversed time. It does it when the brakes aren't on, too, but much fainter. If the headlights aren't on, then it doesn't do it at all. What would you guys suggest??
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Cheers,
Davi

1977 2.0 FI Westy
2011 1200cc Yamaha Super Tenere
1976 Feet (they work surprisingly well)

[dweller]

i probably don't know squat, but i'd suspect the headlight switch. Does it feel warm?

could be resistance in the wires in the lighting, and then there is the alternator itself. Have you checked the belt's tension?

i'm suprised no one else has put forth some advice.


btw, i'm driving a 77 'velveeta' Westie too. . . mine unfortunately has a mid-pinstripe/squiggle running around it. A paint job is in my future.

dp

[busdaddy]

First thing to check is battery voltage when this is happening, the signals, headlights and brake lights combined could be straining a weak alternator.

After that start cleaning grounds at the back.
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[jegtar]

TW, I am having a similar issue. When my headlights are off everything is perfect but when I turn on the headlights my turn signal blink really fast and the generator dummy light glows faintly. I figured it was a bad ground but so far I have had no luck finding it.
Did you resolve you issues? What did you find? I will trouble shoot more this weekend, if there are anymore suggestions out there from someone I would appreciate it. Thanks

[BumbleBus]

[telford dorr]

Check the wire supplying 12 volts to the dash idiot light bulb cluster. If this line develops resistance, all the idiot lights will modulate each other.
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'71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
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Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
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[jegtar]

[ccpalmer]

I am having an issue with my generator/alternator light coming on intermittently with the turn signals when the lights are on. I have a '71 Bus with type 1 engine and Bosch AL82 alternator.

I did some voltage checks and they are:

12.3 volts - engine off battery only

14.45 V - engine on

13.7 V - lights on

14.45/14.1 V - turn signals on

steady 13.4 V - lights and turn signals on.

I'm not sure where these should be. Am I dealing with corroded connections or an alternator issue?

Thanks -
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'71 Westy

[busdaddy]

Your charge light is telling you there's a difference between the voltage at the alternator and the voltage at the fuse box. Somewhere there's a corroded or loose terminal that's not passing full voltage when it's loaded with signals or lights, could be the ignition switch as well.

Put one probe of your meter on the main wire coming from the starter to the fuse box and probe everything with the other lead, if you get a reading greater than a few thousands of a volt you may have found the culprit, try it with various systems turned on as well.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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[ccpalmer]

Great, thanks! Will try later today and see what I find.
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'71 Westy