Do the Oil and Alternator lights work in ACC position?

[guhfluh]

When I turn my ignition switch to the Accessory position, my Oil light and my Alternator light come on. Is this normal or do I need to investigate a wiring issue?

I am going to be installing a radio and finish my A/C install, and I want to be able to leave the key in the Accessory position for lengthy amounts of time without burning up my points(soon to be electronic ignitor conversion) or coil, or anything else for that matter. With the lights coming on in the ACC position, it has me wondering if the coil is getting powered in this position as well for some reason. I'm not with my truck right now and won't be for a couple more weeks, but wanted to ask if I need to investigate a problem when I get back.

[bluef250]

Yes, they should come on. Tells that they are working.

[guhfluh]

Just to clarify, I'm not talking about the ON or RUN position, as I know they are supposed to come on then, but in the ACC position, where most vehicles do NOT power the gauges or warning lights, to keep unnecessary draw off the battery.

[bluef250]

I spent some time reviewing the 1968 and 1969 wiring schematics and I think that my first comments were incorrect. The bat and oil lights are not active when the key in the ACC position. When starting the truck as you go past the run position the lights should come on, then off in the start/ACC position. It probably would not be difficult to rewire have the lights turn on in the ACC position if you desired.

The brake warning light should come on in the start position.

What year of truck do you have?

You can always check the coil to see if it is powered in the ACC position.

[guhfluh]

My truck is a 67. ACC position is 1/8 turn counter-clockwise from OFF. ON/RUN is 1/8 turn clockwise from OFF and START is 1/8 turn clockwise from ON/RUN.

My warning lights come on in ACC, but I wish they didn't and only came on in ON/RUN. I'll be checking the coil power in another week or so when I can get to the truck. I just want to make sure its not normal.

[cole71]

My 71 does this as well? Is this normal?

[tbone6]

According to this (from the 1972 schematic), it sure looks like the alt and oil lights should come on... The other end of the 904 wire goes directly to the alt and oil lights, which both are sitting there grounded waiting for 12v to show up. The ignition system gets its juice when you go to the "run" position, so you should not have any issues with your points/ignition/etc.

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*edit for clarification

[cole71]

Thanks Tbone. I thought they might come on to let you know your switch is on or something?