instrument cluster lights glowing

[SGP]

Hi all, the battery charge, brake fluid level, and handbrake warning lights don't switch off completely once the engine has started. It's a 1989 320i The pad wear sensor light stays on because it's not connected. Any ideas where to start ? I swapped the binnacle but the same lights glow after start up..
Thanks.

[Rtaylor2208]

Im not an expert on the electrical side of things but I'm sure I have read that this is a symptom of a faulty alternator.

[Brianmoooore]

Im not an expert on the electrical side of things but I'm sure I have read that this is a symptom of a faulty alternator.

It is indeed!

[SGP]

Thank you sirs, will swap alternators on Monday and let you know how I get on.

[Brianmoooore]

Check that the alternator is properly earthed to the engine block first. Connect a volt meter, on a low range, between a cleaned up part of the alternator case and the a similarly clean bit of the engine or head.
I once demonstrated to someone that the £250 new alternator they had just fitted to a vehicle performed exactly the same as the one they had just removed, in spite of the new one fixing the problem. Just removing and replacing the fixing bolts had cured the fault, not the replacement alternator.

[SGP]

I'll do that, thanks Brian.

[SGP]

The alternator was at fault, checked earthing was good, replacement part did the trick.
Cheers.

[SGP]