Gen.light will not go out

[mortfromport]

replaced front end harness,had generator bench test [ok]
replaced voltage reg. polarized.looking for some advice,thanking you in advance.by the way 1960 with 352.
thanks,
mort

[Guest]

Hey Morton,
Check engine to body ground!
Richard D. Hord

[simplyconnected]

Mort, are you sure you have it hooked up correctly? Richard is on the money about the importance of a good ground, in fact the wire harness should have its own ground wire in it. It goes from the generator housing to the ground screw on the regulator.

The other two wires are just as important. The skinny one goes from the generator's Field post to the regulator's Field post, and the large wire goes between the generator's Armature post to the regulator's Armature post.

The small wire coming from the dash is your GEN LIGHT. It connects to the Armature post on the Regulator.

The regulator has two resistors usually mounted to the back. They are notorious for breaking because they are brittle. When that happens the regulator won't charge and the GEN LIGHT stays on.

If the GEN LIGHT is connected properly you shouldn't need to flash the gen. because it 'tickles' the armature with 12-volts, and gets it going. - Dave

[Gold Bird]

My generator light just came on yesterday and tested voltage at the battery. When you rev the engine the volts stay the same. My local garage told me most likely its the regulator, any suggestions on who sells them? Got a big car show in town this weekend too, the battery has a good charge on it and I plan on just driving to the show (2 miles away) and parking it

[tbird430]

If your lucky, your local NAPA or even Autozone. You might even be able to use your original cover on the new regulator (so it will look stock).


Nice seeing you on here again too- It's been awhile.

-Jon in TX.

[Gold Bird]

Thanks Jon, Things have been real busy at work these days and have not had anytime to play with the Bird! You would know there is our big local car show this weekend and want to take the car. It should be ok to drive the short distance to the show on battery only as its fully charged. Will check with Autozone and a few other places. Good to be back on the forum!

[Gold Bird]

Autozone can get one for me for late Friday. He said one is listed for a generator and the other for an alternator. I believe mine has three tabs/wires connected? will check it out later tonight.

[simplyconnected]

Make sure you get one for a FORD, not a GM. Also, consult your Shop Manual. - Dave

[Gold Bird]

put the new voltage regulator on and no change. Battery voltage was 12.9 before I started the car, then it dropped to 12.2 and did not change as I reved the engine. The voltage was 11.5 at the regulator when running. Checked wires at the generator and all seemed tight. could the brushes be stuck on the generator?

[LuckyJay]

Prolly could have suspected the brushes first. Most Likely!

[simplyconnected]

Make sure you... consult your Shop Manual.

Did you follow the manual's procedures? Sounds like you didn't see the job through.

To 'prove' the gen puts out:
remove the Field wire off your Voltage Regulator, put a volt meter across your battery, start the car and touch the Field wire to the Battery terminal. The battery voltage should rise IF your gen is good.

**Caution: the above 'test' bypasses the Voltage Regulator; don't over rev the engine or overcharge the battery passed 13.5-volts. - Dave

[mortfromport]

Gen Light

Thanks for all your response`s.
It took 3 bench tests to show up.
OK. now ,thanks.
Mort

[simplyconnected]

...It took 3 bench tests to show up...

Mort, our board would like to know what faults you found, what test equipment you used and, what did you do to fix the problem? - Dave