Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Bad voltage regulator/generator problems?
Forum Index -> Type 3 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
chaosisme
Samba Member


Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 1256
Location: Orange County, Ca
chaosisme is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 8:34 pm    Post subject: Bad voltage regulator/generator problems? Reply with quote

When I bought my car it had an Echlin voltage regulator in it that took a crap and somehow killed my battery. After replacing my dead AGM battery with a conventional battery and putting in an old style Bosch regulator, everything was fine.

Lately, my car has been grumpier than usual, and usually my generator light will flicker when the car is cold, but it always goes away once the car is warm. A few days ago I noticed that at startup, the light wasnt flickering anymore, it was now solid. The next day, it was still doing the same thing, solid light at idle, but when I revved the motor, it would disappear suddenly, and I could hear a hard click from the regulator. The day after that, my regulator started to sound like somebody was trying to send me a telegraph, it would click hard when the generator light would go off, and then click softly intermittently. Finally yesterday I tried to start the car and it just cranked forever (usually starts first or second crank) and then when it did start, I couldnt rev it at all, it would just fall on its face.

I just replaced the regulator (a Bosch Mexico) with a good used Bosch Germany one. At startup the generator light is still on solid and then clicks off VERY loudly with revs. However, the weird starting problem I had the day before is gone.

I know that if/when a regulator goes bad it can kill the generator. What should I check to see that my generator is still working? The brushes are good, I checked/replaced them a few months ago.

On a side note, I noticed when I shift from first to second and give it gas, the car hesitates for a moment, and thats new too. Before, throttle response was instantaneous. I know the FI system is finicky when it comes to voltage, could it have something to do with my regulator problem?
_________________
'65 1500 S [quareback]

'68 FI Sunroof Squareback

'70 Westy

OCT3 - Orange County Type 3's


Last edited by chaosisme on Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:54 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
chaosisme
Samba Member


Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 1256
Location: Orange County, Ca
chaosisme is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Replaced my generator, problem seems fixed.
_________________
'65 1500 S [quareback]

'68 FI Sunroof Squareback

'70 Westy

OCT3 - Orange County Type 3's
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Mike Fisher
Samba Member


Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17963
Location: Eugene, OR
Mike Fisher is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good, I saw your square on a tow truck the other night!
_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
chaosisme
Samba Member


Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 1256
Location: Orange County, Ca
chaosisme is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mike Fisher wrote:
Good, I saw your square on a tow truck the other night!


Yeah, I started it up after work and my coworkers saw a lightshow coming from the rear of the car. The generator was throwing sparks like crazy while at idle. I decided not to take any chances and had it towed. Replaced my generator and checked the battery (it was a little low on water, I think it was ring overcharged) and my car was good to go. It's running a lot better/smoother now. I suspect the generator was crapping out slowly for awhile, my last fill up netted me only 13.8 mpg.
_________________
'65 1500 S [quareback]

'68 FI Sunroof Squareback

'70 Westy

OCT3 - Orange County Type 3's
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
chaosisme
Samba Member


Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 1256
Location: Orange County, Ca
chaosisme is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 8:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

New problem.

After replacing both the regulator and generator, my regulator is still clicking softly at startup. If I try to rev the engine, it cuts out and wants to stall. If I feather the pedal, I can bring the RPM's up, and the regulator will click rapidly.

Once the car warms up, the problem seems to go away. Any suggestions?

I did put the new regulator in before I replaced the bad generator, could I have damaged it already or something?
_________________
'65 1500 S [quareback]

'68 FI Sunroof Squareback

'70 Westy

OCT3 - Orange County Type 3's
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Type 3 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.