I noticed that when I turn my ignition switch to ACC the ALT warning light illuminates. I checked the manual and it does not say anything about it. Just wondering if that is normal or maybe just somehow a byproduct of when my seatbelt interlock (yellow box) system was bypassed. Also, interesting when I turn it to START, I get TEMP+BRAKE+OIL lights. But my owners manual says it should light up TEMP+SEAT BELT+BRAKE+LOW FUEL. Wondering if this is a misprint and they meant to say OIL instead of LOW FUEL. I don't have a low fuel light and don't even see one listed as an option in my '74 sales brochure.
The ALT light should be illuminated any time the key in "on" and the alternator is not spinning. The other lights should illuminate during cranking the starter, also known as "bulb test". There is no "Low Fuel" light on s Maverick/Comet...
Should ALT be on even in the Accessory position? That seems like a waste of indicator bulb life since many use the ACC position just to listen to the radio. Yes, I figured that low fuel light had to be a misprint. It's from the second printing of the 1974 Maverick owners manual dated 8/73. That low fuel paragraph must have slipped in from another Ford model, the proof reader probably had a bad nights sleep!
That's the way they were designed, and yes I agree that it's a waste of bulb life while using accessory power with engine not running. Some other Ford models had a "Low Fuel" light. T-birds and Granada/Monarch/Versailles come to mind...
I wonder how many Alt bulbs have burned out from excessive ACC usage?? At 14v (charging system operating), the #194 bulb is rated for 2500 hours. BUT!! In this application it should never be operating at that voltage. A 12% voltage reduction will increase life by approx 10%.
LoL I don't think I have either... In fact, I've regularly used warning lamp bulbs (robbed from junk clusters) for general illumination. Unless were mixed in parts deals, yard sale purchase, I'm yet to buy new #194, #1895 etc. Yes, there is some risk involved but I test bulbs and examine filament structure. If strung snugly through supports, I won't hesitate to reuse them. For blackened or mal formed filaments, in the trash they go. BTW I won't use a offshore bulb in anything. When the left backup light failed on my Fairlane, I found a fairly recent Made In China bulb. With that I pulled all the running & backup bulbs and replaced with OEM GE lamps.
