why is the dash light staying red

[kev333]

when i start the engine the red light doesn't turn green and its running rough like its down a cylinder but its has new plugs and dissy cap about 2 months ago  it was fine then but i have not used the car since so i took it out a run but it didn't clear  when its in park it ticks over fine , in drive the revs drop more than usual and is very spluttery    1982  280zx

[zeds4ever]

  Kev I think you already know that its your Alternator. Have sent a PM to you & have also sent one to "Salty" as he's not to far from you & may be able to assist you quicker in your hour of need.

 

                                                                                Regards : Alan. 

                                         

[kev333]

hi, its 15.7 volts , i know the alternator  needs replacing but the dash light has always went green , i thought it meant a brake light or low fluids    cheers

[JDSM]

Yep, when that happened to me a few weeks back, it turned out to be the alternator as the wise gentlemen have suggested. Not so bad, eh?

[D.O.G]

Guys, remember that this is a 280zx. It's the warning display.

 

Kev, the manual isn't much help.

If none of the specific error symbols are displayed, Stop (lights), Head (lights), Tail (lights), Wash (windscreen washer level) or Water (radiator level), a red light is "Indication that there is a malfunction". It gives no information beyond that.

I guess this means none of those five items are faulty but that leaves a lot of other stuff to check. If your car runs rough, start there.

The manual can be downloaded from the HybridZ site.

 

Sorry I can't be more help, my 280zx also has the red light on at the moment, but it runs fine.

 

Pete.

[D.O.G]

Hey Kev333, how have you gotten on with your warning light problem?

 

My red light turned out to be a low coolant reservoir level, that should have brought the "Water" symbol on (but didn't).

 

Pete.