# Tape over alternator idiot light **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** explorer, ford\ **Created:** [March 14, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-over-alternator-idiot-light/46100 "2010-03-14T20:49:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lostinvermont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lostinvermont](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lostinvermont)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-over-alternator-idiot-light/46100/1 "2010-03-14T20:49:53Z")
Had to replace failed alternator. Mechan-x installed a rebuilt. After a few miles alternator idiot light came on - but false. Still charging OK. Tried another rebuilt - same problem. Light is on after several months but alternator is still charging fine - hence black tape over the dash light. What is the cause of this false positive? How to fix? Mechan-x assures all wiring properly connected. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-over-alternator-idiot-light/46100/2 "2010-03-14T22:23:34Z")
There’s a wire from the “neutral” line of the alternator to the dash light circuit. That line might have been damaged when the alternator was replaced. ---
**Author:** ![geeaea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@geeaea](https://community.cartalk.com/u/geeaea)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tape-over-alternator-idiot-light/46100/3 "2010-03-15T00:46:25Z")
+1 …start wiggling some of the connectors on the alt itself. You’ll find the one that was cracked or whatever when MechanicX installed the alt.