no charge warning light - milkyjoe
hi, apparently i was reading the other day that if the bulb goes for a burton on the battery charge warning lamp this will cause the alternator to fail as this is the primary circuit that energizes the alternator"magnetic field"on the initial starting/ charging process, so if you suddenly get a flat battery one morning or any time i suppose check the bulb first before shelling out for a recon alternator,does this make sense to all you auto-electricians out there?
no charge warning light - aahbarnes
This page explains the details,

www.alternatorparts.com/understanding_alternators....m

It does look like you might be right, although not many current models in production have a alternator warning light.

no charge warning light - jc2
The check should be the bulb coming on when you turn on the ignition before you start the engine.
no charge warning light - tr7v8
Not quite, in some cars the IWL is part of the field circuit so no warning light equals no charge but it won't damage the alternator. Yes you should check the bulb comes on with ignition & goes out when you start the car.