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captdan1954
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2021
Posts: 3
Location: Louisiana
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 Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:08 am Post subject: 1972 super beetle generator issues |
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Gents, I searched and located a wealth of info on generator testing via this forum. However I ran into a recent issue that perhaps someone could enlighten me on.
Generator seems to not be charging. I placed a volt meter on the battery and noted when the engine up around 2k RPM I see no indication of charging. The idiot light in the dash was a very dim glow, now full on bright red.
I connected a ground wire to the DF post and then used a volt meter to check the generator. At 2-3K rpm my volt meter indicates anywhere from 50 volts to 90 volts. ( seems high but at least it shows voltage).
I checked the brushes, all connections, cleaned the battery terminals, and ground connection from the battery negative to body connection. I checked as best I could all the associated wires from the generator to the voltage regulator. All look good. Wires going to the battery from the regulator all look good, good connections.
I replaced the voltage regulator.
When I check the connection on the voltage regulator going to the battery I show 12 volts with no increase when the engine rpm is increased.
Question: What else can I check, is it possible that the generator tested ok via the above test but in fact is not actually functioning?
BTW, I also polarized the generator while I did the other test.
So far, has stumped me.... thanks. |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31380
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:52 am Post subject: Re: 1972 super beetle generator issues |
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| captdan1954 wrote: |
I connected a ground wire to the DF post and then used a volt meter to check the generator. At 2-3K rpm my volt meter indicates anywhere from 50 volts to 90 volts. ( seems high but at least it shows voltage).
I replaced the voltage regulator.
When I check the connection on the voltage regulator going to the battery I show 12 volts with no increase when the engine rpm is increased. |
Sounds like a faulty voltage regulator to me.
Did you install a cheapo points-style voltage regulator or the new Bosch solid-state regulator like I installed in my 1970 back in 2017 ???
I run generators on both my 1970 and my 1971, have been very reliable.
See http://www.speedyjim.net/htm/gen.htm
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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captdan1954
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2021
Posts: 3
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:51 am Post subject: Re: 1972 super beetle generator issues |
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| Cusser wrote: |
| captdan1954 wrote: |
I connected a ground wire to the DF post and then used a volt meter to check the generator. At 2-3K rpm my volt meter indicates anywhere from 50 volts to 90 volts. ( seems high but at least it shows voltage).
I replaced the voltage regulator.
When I check the connection on the voltage regulator going to the battery I show 12 volts with no increase when the engine rpm is increased. |
Sounds like a faulty voltage regulator to me.
Did you install a cheapo points-style voltage regulator or the new Bosch solid-state regulator like I installed in my 1970 back in 2017 ???
I run generators on both my 1970 and my 1971, have been very reliable.
See http://www.speedyjim.net/htm/gen.htm |
good point. I did in fact install a points type replacement. The good news is that I have two VW's, a 71 and a 72. The 71 has a working voltage regulator. I may do a swap and see if that solves the issue. Would not be the first time I bought a part that was defective. Thanks |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31380
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 super beetle generator issues |
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| captdan1954 wrote: |
| I did in fact install a points type replacement. The good news is that I have two VW's, a 71 and a 72. The 71 has a working voltage regulator. I may do a swap and see if that solves the issue. |
ABSOLUTELY worth doing that. I have periodically swapped in a part from my other VW, and I also have '98 and 2004 Frontiers that are almost identical.
I mark the date/vehicle on the part before I swap so I don't get confused; I use a paint pen. A few months ago I swapped MAF sensors between the two Frontiers (easy swap) to determine that the MAF was not involved in the issue.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Starbucket
Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2007
Posts: 4026
Location: WA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 super beetle generator issues |
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| Check and clean the transmission ground strap (near front of trans.). |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31380
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 super beetle generator issues |
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| Starbucket wrote: |
| Check and clean the transmission ground strap (near front of trans.). |
The generator has a dedicated brown ground wire connected to its case.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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captdan1954
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2021
Posts: 3
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 super beetle generator issues |
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| Fixed it. Seems the new voltage regulator from orileys was bad. I swapped the bosh unit out of my 71 and all was ok. Bosh now on order. That sure was a drill! I assumed a new unit would be good to go. Life lessons. Thanks for the ideas and suggestions 👍 |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 31380
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: 1972 super beetle generator issues |
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| captdan1954 wrote: |
| I assumed a new unit would be good to go. Life lessons. Thanks for the ideas and suggestions 👍 |
New in the box is not always good !!!
Decades ago, a shop or guy or whatever told my sister that she needed a new mechanical fuel pump for her Datsun truck, so she bought one. I installed that, then took it out and tried that by hand, no good. The existing fuel pump DID pump when worked by hand? So what was wrong???? Scroll down
There was a pinhole in the fuel inlet hose, would suck in air but would not leak gasoline. Replaced fuel hose.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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