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Re: 8 guage vs 4 guage + bulb ? Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Re: 8 guage vs 4 guage + bulb ?, Matt in La Plata, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 00:19:53 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The smaller the number, the fatter the wire (don't ask why). Fatter wire is better for carrying current. So yes, 4 gauge is better than 8 - the only drawback is that a 4 gauge wire is very stiff and hard to work with. But if it fits, use it.
To check the alternator light (battery light), turn the car to ON but don't start it. The dash light (looks like a battery) should come on. Yes, you'll need a good ground from the alternator to the chassis.
Another way to test the bulb - on the back of the alternator, there are two cables - a big, fat cable running from the alternator to the battery, and a thin, usually yellow (or green) wire running to the dashboard. If you ground the THIN yellow wire and turn the key to ON, you should see the dash battery light come on. No matter what, don't ground the fat red wire, or you'll short the battery.
The dashboard battery light is critical to the alternator working properly. If the bulb is burned out or the circuit is otherwise broken, the alternator will not work. The bulb usually never burns out, because it only comes on for a second or two whenever the car is started - over the life of the car ,that's maybe a couple of hours use.
If you need to replace the bulb, the best bet is to go to a Saab dealer. The wattage of the bulb is critical (1.2watts, I believe, but check it in the owner's manual), because that wattage defines the excitation current for the alternator. The wrong bulb will cause the alternator not to work correctly, or not work at all.
Yeah, it sucks to need to go to the dealer for a bulb, but it's that critical.
posted by 192.249....
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