Charging light stays on

[lucky ranch]

New here, as well as a 1st time Kubota owner. I recently purchased an L2600DT from a close friend to replace a 1950 8N. I'm on 9 acres with 3 horses and 3 donkeys.

I don't need a big tractor, and have gotten by with the 8N ok, but really like the Kubota much better. The bucket will help me out tremendously.

My question is about the charging light staying on. The previous owner had replaced the alternator. The battery tests good. When running I'm getting 14 V+/- at the battery, so alt output is good. Previous owner has been running it like this for quite a while with zero issues.

I'm pretty well versed in mechanical and electrical troubleshooting and repair, but before I dig in, I'm asking the knowledgeable folks here what to look for.

Glad to be here, and look forward to many years of Kubota ownership.

Also, is there any aftermarket suppliers for cosmetic items like headlight assemblies, etc? I will use genuine orange parts for filters and mechanical parts, but want to "pretty her up" a bit, and prices are pretty stiff on "pretty" parts.

 

[85Hokie]

IF you are getting the 14+ volts AT the battery - then one would assume it is being charged.

I would suspect the "gauge" and or the sender that is reporting low voltage. See where that plugs in the electrical circuit and see if something is loose there.

 

[lucky ranch]

IF you are getting the 14+ volts AT the battery - then one would assume it is being charged.

I would suspect the "gauge" and or the sender that is reporting low voltage. See where that plugs in the electrical circuit and see if something is loose there.

Thank you. I will start digging into it and post what I find. Yes, the 14+ volts was at the battery.

 

[lucky ranch]

Digging into it further, I found nothing other than a suspect ground from the battery to the frame. Got that cleaned up and no change. The alt connections are all good. I chased the wiring from the alt to the gauge cluster and found no problems. At this point, unless I get any other things to check here on this forum, I'm going to try to stop worrying about it. I wonder if it isn't something inside the cluster causing it, and since I'm not independently wealthy, I don't see a new one in my future. Maybe some electrical tape over the idiot light. Lol.

 

[85Hokie]

Digging into it further, I found nothing other than a suspect ground from the battery to the frame. Got that cleaned up and no change. The alt connections are all good. I chased the wiring from the alt to the gauge cluster and found no problems. At this point, unless I get any other things to check here on this forum, I'm going to try to stop worrying about it. I wonder if it isn't something inside the cluster causing it, and since I'm not independently wealthy, I don't see a new one in my future. Maybe some electrical tape over the idiot light. Lol.

The light has to have some type of "trigger" that ONCE voltage is under "X" -

I would suspect that the "new" alternator is wired incorrectly based on the wire running to the light.

SO if the alternator's wires are run and the "light" is not connected to the proper screw - then it would read as a low voltage.

Can you take a picture of the "back" of the alternator? AND show how the wires are run to those screws?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

you really need to find a good schematic ..having the light always on isn't really good !
could be a DENSO 3 wire alternator and the light isn't wired correctly. probably similar wiring to the old GM 10SI type ? LOTS of information about how those are wired.
Some DENSO are 4-5 wire , similar to GM CS130 series
Agree need to know alternator maker and model number !

 

[lucky ranch]

 

[lucky ranch]

View attachment 119827 View attachment 119828

As you can see, the connector leaves a lot to be desired, but the connections are clean and solid.

 

[lucky ranch]

As you can see, the connector leaves a lot to be desired, but the connections are clean and solid.

Looking at the pics I just posted it almost looks like the two wires are reversed.

 

[ruger1980]

The terminal the white wire with red tracer is connected to is the light terminal. The one above and perpendicular should be connected to the ignition circuit. Remove the connector and turn on your switch to see if the light is still on.
You could always could always connect the plug to the alternator with jumper wires to double check it is still charging and remove the L wire to see if the light goes out and that the WH/R wire is in fact the light wire.
The made in China sticker makes me wonder about the alternator although I have had pretty good luck with some of the Denso copies.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

A diagram of the wiring would help. Given the condition of that connector, it's possible the wires came out of the connector and someone put them back into the wrong slots.
Maybe someone has your tractor ( L2600DT) and can look and confirm which wire goes where ?
You really need the tractor wiring to confirm.

 

[ruger1980]

Easy enough to determine which circuit is which. Key on with connector disconnected probe both wires with a test light. Ignition circuit will be brighter, light circuit will be dimmer and the charge light will likely glow too.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

if you can believe the internet....
the top, horizontal pin goes to IGN
the btm, vertical pin goes to light

one site says light wire will have +12 on it, 24/7 as it's NOT switched power.

I'm a dinosaur, I need to SEE actual wiring diagram and colour code tables.

 

[ruger1980]

if you can believe the internet....
the top, horizontal pin goes to IGN
the btm, vertical pin goes to light

one site says light wire will have +12 on it, 24/7 as it's NOT switched power.

I'm a dinosaur, I need to SEE actual wiring diagram and colour code tables.

Yes that is the way the terminals should be oriented according to Denso regulator catalogs.

The light wire had better be switched power. If not then the light would illuminate both key on and off eventually running the battery empty. Not a good scenario.

What happens when you cant tell what color the wires are?

My suspicion is that the PO bought a one wire alternator and that terminal is grounded in that application.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm, 1 wire...
yes, really NEED to know the model of that alternator.
I've seen 1 wire's for sale and make didn't install a solid plastic cover where the 2 prong plug is ! This means you can connect the wires up BUT who KNOWS where those 2 pins go inside the alternator.
It'll be interesting to read what 'solves' this !!