I'd start by disconnecting every wire and cleaning the contacts both on the wire and at the jack.
Then examine the brushes. If the carbon is worn down to the point that it is no longer contacting the copper on the armature, that will reduce the voltage. The one on the bottom needs to be checked also, but on the car it takes a mirror and a lot of dexterity to remove it for inspection. Then separate the effects of generator and voltage regulator by carrying out the Bentley diagnostic test for generator output. It is simple. It requires only the re-routing of a couple of wires and a check with a voltmeter. If the generator output without regulation is spec, then the problem is certainly with the VR. >The other night as I was driving home from a play rehearsal in a >neighboring town, my gen light came on. Headlights still worked and >car ran fine (although running poorly at idle due to old gas I'm >trying to flush out before refilling). > >Thankfully got home OK and looked at belt. Belt is intact and feels >tight though I'll check that better in daylight this weekend. > >I haven't had any generator issues with this car since I got it when >my father-in-law (1st owner) passed away in 98 so I'm unfamiliar >with electrical diagnostics on generator. > >Can anyone advise what to look for first and how to try to diagnose >what the problem might be? I'm afraid to drive it for fear I'm only >running on the battery and might get stranded somewhere. > >I don't know if the gen is bad or bad brushes or diodes or what. > >Any diagnostic help would be much appreciated. I have had the gen >off once when I pulled the engine during restoration process so I >know how to get it out and I guess I could take to a gen shop for >diagnosis but thought I'd ask the real experts first. > >It a 72 std. bug with stock everything incl generator. > >Thanks, > >Mike in AL > >In Christ and Christ alone, > >MIKE MOREHOUSE > >"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; >old things have passed away; behold, >all things have become new." >2nd Corinthians 5:17 > > > > >_______________________________________________ >vintagvw site list >[email protected] >http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw
