Expert: Brad Sears - 10/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: hi i notice from a previous reply you made that you said a generator was so simple a farm boy could repair it, could you advise me on how to do this, i know nothing about it, i was driving home and the gen light came on, we did get awfull burning smell before hand and lights seemed to bright , when the light came on  the lights then dimmed and we managed to get home, how can i check out put etc or test if faulty, thanks in advance terry

ANSWER: Well it was not me that made that comment and before I get into telling some one how to check a generator I need to know what year, make and model car you have. Let me know.
Brad

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QUESTION: um what a pratt, i cant beleive i expected you to know that, 1955 cadiallac coupe deville, basicly we were getting horrible smells in the car which i couldnt locate but then suddenly the gen light came on just like that.



ANSWER: Are you comfortable using a voltmeter for testing? However first check the fan belt making sure that it is properly adjusted and not slipping. Let me know.
Brad

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QUESTION: hi yes i can use a multimetere but i would just like to know how i test the generator, as someone else had said it was simple, thats all, the product is on my work bench so checking the belt is irelivaent, i have done all the basic checks and either the generator or regulator is at fault, i would just like to know how to test the generator please, thnakyou

Answer
If the generator was still on the car the test to determine regulator or generator is simple. Just running the engine and jumping the field will tell the story. If the voltmeter shows a charging voltage then the problem is the regulator and no charging voltage indicates generator. With the generator on the bench there are several routes that you could take. One would be to try to motorize the generator. Use the cars battery and some jumper wires. Attach the + to the Gen or arm terminal of the generator. It will be the largest terminal. Then the - to the generator frame. The generator should motor. While it is turning run a jumper wire from the field terminal to ground. The field is the smaller terminal. The speed of the generator should change. If the generator does not motor then you will need to take it apart and use a growler and a continuity tester.
Brad