I'm finishing up an engine install and almost ready to start the car. So this engine has not run yet.

While tracking down an oil leak, I disconnected the wiring harness to the alternator to move it (the harness) out of the way, tightened the banjo bolt on one of the oil lines, cranked the car with the EGI pulled to verify oil pressure (and that the leak was fixed), and then reconnected the alternator connections. Of note, I smelled a little burning after I cranked the car. I cranked it for ~10sec and I'm assuming that was the starter getting too hot. Wiring at the starter looks fine.

Now I'm getting the oil level, coolant level, and battery warning lights illuminated on the dash when I turn the key to "ON." I'm pretty certain they were not on before. From searching, this pattern usually indicates a failing alternator or a problem with the alternator wiring. I have double checked and cleaned the gray plastic wiring connector on the alternator and the big ground connector next to it, as well as the thin black connector on the same harness. All are visually fine and clean.

Questions:

1. Am I right that in normal conditions these three lights should be out when the key is in the on position?
2. Could having cranked the car with the alternator wiring disconnected have registered a fault somewhere that's causing this pattern, and that hasn't been cleared even though the wiring is now in place? I've tried cranking the engine with everything hooked back up but the issue remains. Car's running a PowerFC.
3. Or, is this warning pattern generated simply by a continuity issue? If so, what else should I check?
4. Anything else I should try? I suppose the alternator could just be going bad but again everything was fine until I manipulated the wiring.

Thanks for any help. The car is otherwise ready to go but I don't want to try a first start if the alternator isn't functioning and it's just going to die out in a few minutes.

 

those lights with key on 2 is normal. no malfunction from them being illuminated. cranking the car with the alternator wire off will cause no issues. the burning smell could be anything when it comes to cranking. if there's no smoke and no electrical components are excessively hot then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Awesome! I would love this issue to be a figment of my imagination. Can anyone else confirm?

 

You are good. All the dash lights are on with key on/engine off so you can verify the bulbs are good, they should shut off with the engine running.

New engines do all KINDS of smells, I'm not worried there. The engine has assembly lube in it, greasy hand prints on the outside, cleaning residue, you name it - a fresh engine will always smoke from most everywhere.

Dale