Battery Light

[KNOTSANE]

Just getting around to working on my new toy. It's a 79 spider pininfarina. I put a new battery in it and even when the ignition is off and the key is removed, the battery light stays on. Is this normal or is there a wiring issue? I have the battery disconnected so it doesn't get drained.
PS--After sitting in my garage for the last 2 years and the previous owners back yard for 3 years, a new battery, new plugs, new oil and some new gas, it fired up on the third crank. What a beautiful sound. Now the fun begins.

[mbouse]

hello, knotsane, and welcome to the forum. please stop by the introductions page and tell us more about you and your car.

the first thing we tend to learn about these cars is that many previous owners have tinkered (sometimes unhealthily) with the wiring under the dash... usually for insertion of numerous radios and associated speakers.

the wires that govern the functioning of your charging system indicator light are two. one to the alternator exciter circuit and one to fuse #2 it sounds like your wire to the alternator may have been tampered with, giving you a ground (short).

getting your hands on a quality wiring diagram is gonna be one of your best tools for the future. here's a link for one that will work well for you:
http://artigue.com/fiat/pubs/Wiring_1979_1980.pdf

[So Cal Mark]

your alternator may have bad diodes; the result is low charge rate and a light that stays on without the ignition being on

[TulsaSpider]

Welcome! You have come to the right place! We always ask for pics!