308 Alternator Light Question

[Dinosar]

My 308 has always had the alternator light ('battery light') stay on for anywhere from a few seconds to up to a minute after start. The light doesn't respond to reving the engine or any other manipulations. The light was staying on longer and longer and I finally put a meter accross the battery and showed nothing above 12.5 volts at any rpm. So, in went a new alternator - boy that was fun.

Anyway, the light still comes on for a few seconds and then you can feel and hear the alternator "kick in" with a slight drag on the engine and light goes out. You can watch this on the voltmeter also. At first, no increase in charge (light on), then the alternor comes on board in a few seconds and we have 14 v like it should (light out).

My question is: Is this the way the system is supposed to work? Why would there be a time delay between initial start and charging? Its almost like a warmup circuit in some ways. Wiring diagram shows no timers etc. Also, what is that light actually showing? Juss curious.

[Josh@ECS]

This is completely normal. I have a tendency to give the car a quick "rev" above 1500rpm right away to kick the alternator on and shut the light off. The light is simply there to notifiy you that the alternator is no charging, like in a modern car you'll notice a red "battery" light on the dashboard. It's just a failure indicator so you don't run the battery flat and get stranded.