Lightning Bolt Warning Light Problem - Redux

frankmako · Jul 5, 2013

The lightning bolt warning light on my YM1601D came on today about one hour into a four hour bush hog job. The tractor was running around 2,300 rpms on level ground. The light flashes on and off. Sometime the light is bright, mostly it is dim flashes. It has done this before several times in the past when I use the tractor to bush hog. This problem first started in 2009. Back then I changed out the belt trying to fix the problem, but it did not do any good. So today I turned on the tractor lights and the warning light stopped. So I cut the field today with the lights on today. If I drop the rpms below 1,500 rpms the light will stop. It only does it when I use the tractor cutting at high rpms. All other times/work it never comes on. Must be something about low rpms that keeps the light out. Over the past several years I have changed out the belt and the voltage regulator. The charging system is working as it should so the generator is good. Either I got a lose wire or something bad is going on. Could this be an over-charge condition? Could this be belt slipping at high rpms. What checks do I need to do to run down this problem?

tthopskin@yahoo.ca · Jul 5, 2013

it could be a wornig light to tell you that you are over revving it ..try cutting at 2000 and a lower gear or just go slower..

Smoody · Jul 5, 2013

I had exact issue on a ym2001..its most likely a loose wire..I think up near battery. On mine I snipped the connectors and just twisted the wires together with electrical tape..I may have a thread on here about it..would be years ago..

kenmac · Jul 5, 2013

If you don't find any external problems. Take the alt. off and have it checked at an alt. repair shop

winston1 · Jul 5, 2013

When it is doing that reach down under the dash to the fuse box and rotate the fuses and watch your light.

clemsonfor · Jul 5, 2013

The connector on the back of my alt is kind of slopply the stud seems loose and every now n then my charge light. Flashes. U can affect I. By wiggling the wire on it. Will do It then stop for months then do it part of a day and stop. I don't worry as 95% off the time I dint get it?

frankmako · Jul 13, 2013

it looks like the fan belt that I put on two years ago is the problem. it is slipping. I got it at the local auto store. so I know it is not the correct size. the adjustment is at the end so I don't have any more to go. so does anyone know the correct size v-belt that will fit. I know I can order one from hoye, but I need to have this done by the first of the week.

winston1 · Jul 14, 2013

I do not warranty this but this is what I think. Goodyear 17341 or metric number 13av0865

frankmako · Jul 14, 2013

check the fan belt and it was had just a little play in it. fixed the problems and now the light is on all the time. out comes the volt meter to check the alternator and the readings at 1,500 rpm i get 20 vac and at 2,000 rpm i get 24.5 vac. so it looks like it is good. go to the battery and i get 12.35 volts. so nothing going to the battery from the regulator. yesterday the battery was getting over 13 plus volts and the light was off. go the voltage regulator and can not get anything coming out. or i must not be checking the correct wires. i have the new vr-522 regulator on. i put it on in 2008. what wires to i need to check to see what is coming out of the regulator?