Expert: jack bahm - 7/2/2008

Question
I have a very rare 1960 Datsun Fairlady that i am trying to keep as origional as possible. The problem with the car is that it will no longer charge the battery. When this origionally started the contact on the voltage regulator had come off. I managed to solder it back on but after a couple months of driving the car the contact came off again. I soldered it back on but the car was not charging. so i got a new voltage regulator for it. I drove the car around for about 4 hours with the lights on and it seemed fine. Then i whent to start it and it would not turn over at all. The battery was flat. We just had the generator rebuilt on it but the car is not chargning. The generator has a field Arm and one other terminal which i think is a ground. Why isnt this car charging. Thanks for your time

Answer
I am  Model A guy and I don't know a thing about your foreign car.
Your system may be charging, but the v/reg is not releasing and draining the battery.
Charge the batt.  Start the car and turn the lights on. Rev the engine and see if they brighten.  If they do, then the gen is working.
Turn the engine off, disconnect the battery and touch the cable to the batt post and see if you get a spark.  If you do, then you have a short (drain), and it is probably the regulator.  They have to disconnect themselves from the circuit when the engine is off.  Sometimes they stick.  Hit it and see if that will release it.
Beyound this, a good engine guy should be able to track down your problem.
Good luck
jack