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Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:04 pm

My generator light came on while back while driving down the road. I assumed the voltage regulator was bad so I ordered a new one and replaced it. After replacing the regulator the light still stayed on while the car was running so I ordered a rebuilt generator. I swapped the generator this weekend and the light is still staying on. In other posts I've read that I should polarize the generator so I've done that but still no luck, the generator light is still staying on. What am I missing here?

-billb

Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:49 pm

Hi Billb,
1. When you polarized the gen did you take off the fan belt and make sure the motor turned in a clockwise diection?
2. How long did you run the engine long before polarizing?
3. Have you checked the gen idiot light wiring to see if the problem is there?

Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:54 pm

1. When you polarized the gen did you take off the fan belt and make sure the motor turned in a clockwise diection?

I removed the fan belt when I polarized the generator, but I'm pretty sure I remember the generator turned counter-clockwise.

2. How long did you run the engine long before polarizing?

Less than a minute. I cranked the engine over and saw the light was still on, then immeditely turned it back off, removed the belt, and polarized the generator.

3. Have you checked the gen idiot light wiring to see if the problem is there?

I'm not sure what to check for there.

Sun Oct 29, 2006 3:55 pm

Hi billb,
Try polarizing it again and make sure it turns clockwise. If it does not turn by itself it is fried. If it turns backwards you might have the wiring backward.
To check idiot light wiring. You remove the wire at the regulator that comes from the idiot light. Turn key to "run" position and see if light turns on. If not, the wiring is likely good. If it does come on the wiring has a short.

Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:16 pm

Eric&Barb wrote: Hi billb,
Try polarizing it again and make sure it turns clockwise. If it does not turn by itself it is fried. If it turns backwards you might have the wiring backward.
To check idiot light wiring. You remove the wire at the regulator that comes from the idiot light. Turn key to "run" position and see if light turns on. If not, the wiring is likely good. If it does come on the wiring has a short.

When I polarize the generator (fan belt and regulator removed) it turns counter-clockwise. I'm sure there isn't anything wired backwards though. When I polarized it, I connected the - (from the battery) to the generator strap bolt and the + (from the battery) to the red wire coming out of the generator. I also tested the idiot light and that worked the way it is supposed to. Any other suggestions?

-billb

Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:38 am

Is this a 12 volt generator? 6 volt generators have 2 wires coming out. The 2 wires connect to the regulator on the back side. THe right front of the regulator has 2 wires, one to fuse panel and the other to the starter where the battery connects. If you have a 12 volt generator try reversing your jumper cables when you polarize the battery to make the generator turn clockwise.

Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:40 am

MikeyStuff wrote: Is this a 12 volt generator?

It is a 6 volt generator.

Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:56 am

Make sure that the connection on the right front of the regulator is not touching the generator case. When you polarize the generator your + lead goes on the red wire with the yellow connector.

Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:12 am

MikeyStuff wrote: Make sure that the connection on the right front of the regulator is not touching the generator case. When you polarize the generator your + lead goes on the red wire with the yellow connector.

The red connection at D+ isn't touching the generator, it is hard to tell in the picture though. And your suggestion is different from what I've read everywhere. DF is supposed to be grounded and D+ is where the battery is/was jumpered to polarize.

-billb

Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:07 am

You are right, it is DF where the + jumper goes. Reverse your 2 wires on the front of the regulator and your generator will turn the right way when you polarize it.

Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:29 pm

This time I polarized the generator by grounding the red wire coming out the generator and ran the + from the battery to the black wire. The generator finally spun clockwise the way it is supposed to. I hooked the red wire to the DF and the black wire to the D+ on the regulator, installed the belt, then started my car. The generator light went off! Woo hoo! So am I to assume that the wires in the generator were not hooked up correctly because it worked this way?

-billb

Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:37 pm

Hi billb,
Exactly! Good work!

Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:45 pm

The little details like the correct clockwise spin when polarizing made all of the difference when trying to troubleshoot this problem. Now I get to take my car out to this months VW club meet and attend a show this weekend. Thanks to all of you for your help.

-billb