Battery light stays on after I remove key from ignition

[john 05141]

The battery in my Delorean is over 5 years old, and with the limited use of the car, time to replace. The US model is not so easy to find here and I bought a European model with the poles on top. Is has + and - on the oposite sides but the cables odf the S are long enough. Turns out the thing did not fit right after I prepared the cables to be added oposite, and I re-install the old battey for now, but in the confusion I added + to - and oposite. :angry: As I look up I see no door lights on, and I immediately see the error, and remove the battery key. I almost flip of course (lot of swearing..) The bolts on the battery are hot but I remove the cables in high speed. The battery was dying anyway and not fully charged, but probably toasted.
I manage to find the same US model battery and install this yesterday. Everything seems to work just fine. Car starts, everything works but the radio. (probably a separate fuse in the cable?, I do not know if this is a coincidence, as all the rest works)
The volt gauge also indicated the alternator works. I took an hour drive with the lights on, started 3 times, all fine.

Just one weird thing. After I cut the ignition and remove the key, the battery light goed on and stays on. I think it is normal this light goed on but is supposed to go out after I pull the key. :what_the:
I am not sure yet if I casued some damage to the car I have not seen yet or if I was just very lucky but can someone say why this light stays on?

John

[Bitsyncmaster]

The Aux relay cuts off power to "battery light". So if your light stays on after the key is turned off, most likly your alternator regulator is powering the light backwards. Hence your regulator is shot. Thats my guess.

[Ron]

+1

...you can double check by disconnecting the Brown-Yellow wire at the alternator and see if the light goes out. If it does you should replace the alternator right away because, if it really putting out a charge, the odds are it will overcharge your new battery.

[Elvis]

hm, the only real rule: (we talked about it 2-3 days ago)

don't swap these wires !

Please let us know what you killed.

[john 05141]

Yesterday a test was done, and with the engine running, it measures 11.40 volts. It should be 13 then. So indeed the alternator is shot. I can get it fixed again.

A quick check is done on the major cables and even those going from the battery to the alternator do not seem harmed. It could have been a lot worse:frantic:

She's going under serious check up the comming weeks for most (or important wires) and a repair of the alternator. I'm not driving her now just as a precaution. Just hope this is it ans no more surprises come up.

John