Red ‘L’ dash light does not come on at all.

[landon]

On 6/25/2024 at 6:41 PM, Pablo M said:

Thanks everyone for all the useful and helpful suggestions.

I started the diagnostic process with the bulb. Was good. 

Battery is 3-1/2 years old but checked out at 13v across the terminals with key off.

All the main grounds looked good.

Went to the voltage regulator even though it was new (or because of it) and pulled the plug to check for resistance/continuity and two of the male blades came out with the plug. Cheap Hella VR I had swapped in when I thought it was bad (ended up being belt that came loose). So, I grabbed the old one to connect it back and it worked! The 'L' charge light is working again with the old, original voltage regulator.

 

Problem solved: bad Voltage Regulator

Bad NEW Voltage regulator. I chased down similar issues a couple of years ago. Had a bad alternator. Replaced with rebuilt unit and new Hella VR that came with it .... just because it was new. Red light issues stumped me until I returned to the old VR and back to normal operation. 

 

Is this a common problem with the new solid state VR's?  

[Pablo M]

28 minutes ago, landon said:

Bad NEW Voltage regulator. I chased down similar issues a couple of years ago. Had a bad alternator. Replaced with rebuilt unit and new Hella VR that came with it .... just because it was new. Red light issues stumped me until I returned to the old VR and back to normal operation. 

 

Is this a common problem with the new solid state VR's?  

They must be very poorly made Chinese units. My 50 yr old VR still works fine lol.