hey guys, ive got a gen light question. When i turn my ignition to start, my gen light and oil light should come on as a testing procedure for the bulbs. But only my oil light comes on. But when i start the car my gen light appears on; it also dims in relation to the motors revs; but as soon the car idles correctly it stays fully on. I also at the same time have a failing fuel gauge and indicator lamp. So my first thought it was earthing, but after checking all this its fine. Ive got a fairly new generator and voltage regulator, both indicating 12 volts. So im stuck with no other ideas of what to check for. Any ideas?? and if anyone has the solution to my problem, please save me from pulling my hair out.

You need to have more than 12volts, that's why the light is on..
If you only have 12volts then your generator is not charging, or regulator is not functioning correctly.
Check out Speedy Jim's site

yer ive gone back and checked my battery and generator, they both are producing more than 12v up to around 14v, so thats all sweet but im still trying to work out why the hell the light is still on. My belts fine and all connections seem good. im baffled as to what else could be causing this.

clean all the electrical connections to Your dash lamps and the power connection to the 3 indicator lamps behind the speedo... Power goes to these 3 lamps all the time the ignition is on.... the earth comes from the other end...
Regulator.. oil sender .. etc... it sounds like it could be a regulator thing... some new regulators have to be set after being installed in the car --

All the electrical connections in Your car [including the fuse holders] should each be polished with a wire brush or emery or wet & dry paper to the condition they were in when the car was made.... shiney & new... no contamination...
this can fix many electrical problems...

Lee

ok i feel like an idiot, it was a blown fuse.

Reading this thread made me realise that I'd had this same thing happen to me christ knows how many years back -I'm only 48 but have had VWs since I was 17- but I wish I had kept a diary of all the little things that had happened and how they were fixed 'cos by the time it's happened again you've forgotten. All the big problems usually have obvious causes but the little things are the ones that piss you off!
Bazza