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If it is a 71, it should be an alternator. An old trick is to start the engine and pull the positive terminal off the battery. If the engine quits, there is not enough alternator output to even run the engine. If it keeps running, turn on the lights and anything else that drains a battery. If everything keeps working, then you have a a good alternator output and probably a defective battery. The other way is as mentioned, put a voltmeter on the battery and record the reading. Start up the vehicle and increase engine speed to the maximum voltmeter reading. Usually, it will read between +1 to +2 volts if the output is OK. If nothing happens or it decreases, then it is the alternator-regulator that is probably at fault. If you do have a generator (why I haven't a clue), it has to have current applied to it to make output. So if you have a dead battery, a generator will not work at all until you give it a fully charged battery. Also, it tends to put out nothing at idle and needs higher speed of rotation than an alternator to make current. My guess is that your alternator has a burned out diode and it is shorting out your battery. Usually happens when you try to "jumper" to a dead battery or get the polarity crossed while "jumpering". A large spark occurs and you can kiss one or more diodes goodbye. If you have a good automotive electrical shop around, it is better to rebuild what you have then replacing with a rebuilt from an Autogotcha store. I have bought rebuilt alternators that have had to be completely disassembeled and parts rotated 180 degrees to get them to fit. >From: Jeff Fischer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [Chevelle-List] Alternator/generator test >Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002 15:58:05 -0600 > > >Replies to this message are sent to The Chevelle Mailing List >------------------------------------------------------------ > >Was running my car and turned it off and upon a restart, it failed. Checked >the battery and it was dead. It is brand spanking new. Anyway I then looked >at the generator and one of the slip-on clips was off. No problem, I pushed >it back on but it was difficult and the back of this generator looks pretty >nasty. The male leads that the slip-ons attach to look real bad so I am >wondering if there is an easy way to put a meter on the generator to verify >that it is in fact changing/working? > > >-- >Jeff Fischer >Lake Elmo, MN >'71 Chevelle SS, 454, 4 spd, matching numbers >(In process of restoration when spring gets here) :) >http://home.attbi.com/~addss/chevelle.html > > >----------------------------------------------------- >To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html >To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com ----------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
