s14 sr20det battery light problem (light NOT on)

[oewoko]

so here's my story and how i proceeded.

i've had my s14 sr20det for many many years now, but am only now trying to fix the little things that nag me.

upon startup, the car never charged on its own, i would need to rev the motor up for the alternator to start charging.

upon a zilvia search, someone suggested the voltage regulator would be bad.

so i took it as a sign to upgrade to a quest alternator with a codyace bracket.

upon install, still the same.

so i did a general google search, which led me to see if my batt light turned on with the key to on, which it did not

thinking it was just a bulb, i take the cluster out and find a good bulb. switch it anyways, and still not light.

so i test the wiring with a voltmeter. and with the key to on (and not started), i have power coming through the white/red wire.

can anyone please give me suggestions as what to look for or do?

i'm currently using a new reman'd 2002 quest alternator

[oewoko]

just to clarify, the white/red is supposed to be ground on "on", but switch to power once started.

with that wire being ground, the batt light will be on, and once the car is on, white/red will have power, and the light will turn off