generator problems

[Addman]

I have a 71 super with a generator, and I've been troubleshooting a constantly on gen light.

First, I double checked the wiring was correct. it was.
Second, checked the belt to be within spec. with the right tension. it was.
then I tested the battery with a multimeter while the engine was running and nothing no recharge.
final I disconnected the D+ and DF grounded DF and metered D+ while the car was running and nothing no voltage. I also check the brushes they seem fine.

Would you all say that the generator's it bad? any suggestions shy of replacement or rebuild.

[bobinphx]

Pull the brushes. Clean the screw connection on both of them. Then clean the holder so the brush moves easy. Then clean the comutator with an abrasive stick (I use the wifes nail board). Also clean all the connections on the voltage regulator, including the ground. If still no juice, replace the brushes or get a new generator.

[bobinphx]

Pull the brushes. Clean the screw connection on both of them. Then clean the holder so the brush moves easy. Then clean the comutator with an abrasive stick (I use the wifes nail board). Also clean all the connections on the voltage regulator, including the ground. If still no juice, replace the brushes or get a new generator.

[Danwvw]

There is always more to the story. Is this a new to you generator? Or did it work fine for you then all of the sudden it quit. Or was it working before the car sat for a long time? Was the engine revved way up without a battery or a bad battery that would not protect it form field burn out. Speaking of field burn out see if you do have a field!
You can see if it will run like a motor. Disconnect the belt and bypass D+ to B+ a good generator will motor doing this. Probably ground the field F for that test? But only try this test for 10 seconds as it overheats the field. It will polarize it too.

Another thing too is a good generator will cause small fluctuations in ohm and voltage readings if you spin it by hand with the belt off, engine stopped, key off, generator wiring removed from generator.

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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[Addman]

[sb001]

What about the generator ground wire that bolts to the back top side of the generator housing-did you remember to reconnect that?

The brown wire here:

_________________
I'm the humblest guy on this board.

1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor

[Danwvw]

Well so yeah, it must be a problem like a broken wire to it. Got to check that the D+ Wire to the Reg is good. That the field wire to the Reg is good. Could be a stuck reg. The new bosch solid state regulators are the ticket!
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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[Addman]

[sb001]

[Cusser]

[Addman]

[sb001]

[vwoldbug]

If you have a local generator shop you need to remove the generator and have them test it . With dual carbs it should be easy to remove .

[sjbartnik]

The generator should ground pretty well just through its contact with the engine as long as your transaxle ground strap is in place.

Earlier cars didn't have a separate generator ground wire - that was added later on.

You could easily test that by either measuring resistance between D- and battery ground or run a jumper wire from D- to battery negative and see if that cures the problem.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[volksworld]

perhaps when unbolting the wires one of the studs spun...this would shear off the wire attached to its other end

[Addman]