The Ford Barn

ldj1002 · 05-25-2015, 06:00 PM

planning on going to pickup a 57 Ranchero tomorrow. Gen doesn't work or at least red light is on. If I remember right from years ago if you run a generator not working it would ruin it. If that is right could I disconnect wires and be OK? Or would that gen have a dedicated belt and I could remove that?

wbedwards · 05-25-2015, 10:33 PM

I don't see how running it will harm the generator. Your just draining the battery when the light is on. You may need to reflash the voltage regulator if it has been sitting a good while. Do a search on this site for instructions.

wbedwards

dmsfrr · 05-25-2015, 11:09 PM

I found this info about generators...
http://www.netlink.net/mp/volks/htm/gen.htm
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...utf-8&oe=utf-8

Yes, If you need to drive or run the car for a while it will just drain the battery until it gets so low the car quits.
Not sure how correct or applicable the links above are to what you'll be doing.
If you need to remove the gen, and since it's already not working (red light on) it shouldn't hurt to label & disconnect the wires at the gen then insulate/tape over the wire ends so they don't short out on anything.
The belt for the gen usually also turns the water pump.

darrell · 05-26-2015, 06:32 AM

on a ford its usually just the brushes.

ponymare · 05-26-2015, 06:39 AM

The generator might be ok, and the regulator is bad.

Ole Don · 05-26-2015, 01:48 PM

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The Google presentation should be the one you want. Keep in mind, there are two systems. Delco is one, Ford and Auto lite is the other. Polerizing them differs.

Charlie Stephens · 05-26-2015, 01:59 PM

I want to add that if the battery is charged (such as you had it on a charger) you could probably drive all day using ONLY current for the ignition.

Charlie Stephens

Ole Don · 05-27-2015, 11:21 AM

When you get it home, they are easy to get working again. On the bench remove the rear cover after marking its position. Use wood type sand paper to clean the armeture. Crocus cloth seems like the thing to use, but it can get stuck in between the segments and cause a short. Wood type sand paper will not short. Clean the brushes with a clean cloth, and make sure the springs work freely. Install the brushes so far that the spring holds them by thier sides, then spring them loose after the end cap is back on. Of course you will clean everything while apart and put a dab of fresh grease in the end bushing.

05-25-2015, 06:00 PM	#1
ldj1002 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 181	Gen not working planning on going to pickup a 57 Ranchero tomorrow. Gen doesn't work or at least red light is on. If I remember right from years ago if you run a generator not working it would ruin it. If that is right could I disconnect wires and be OK? Or would that gen have a dedicated belt and I could remove that?

05-25-2015, 10:33 PM	#2
wbedwards Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Birmingham, Al. Posts: 339	Re: Gen not working I don't see how running it will harm the generator. Your just draining the battery when the light is on. You may need to reflash the voltage regulator if it has been sitting a good while. Do a search on this site for instructions. wbedwards

05-25-2015, 11:09 PM	#3
dmsfrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 3,607	Re: Gen not working I found this info about generators... http://www.netlink.net/mp/volks/htm/gen.htm https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...utf-8&oe=utf-8 Yes, If you need to drive or run the car for a while it will just drain the battery until it gets so low the car quits. Not sure how correct or applicable the links above are to what you'll be doing. If you need to remove the gen, and since it's already not working (red light on) it shouldn't hurt to label & disconnect the wires at the gen then insulate/tape over the wire ends so they don't short out on anything. The belt for the gen usually also turns the water pump.

05-26-2015, 06:32 AM	#4
darrell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: p.e.i. Posts: 1,060	Re: Gen not working on a ford its usually just the brushes.

05-26-2015, 06:39 AM	#5
ponymare Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 160	Re: Gen not working The generator might be ok, and the regulator is bad.

05-26-2015, 01:48 PM	#6
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Gen not working Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The Google presentation should be the one you want. Keep in mind, there are two systems. Delco is one, Ford and Auto lite is the other. Polerizing them differs.

05-26-2015, 01:59 PM	#7
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,033	Re: Gen not working I want to add that if the battery is charged (such as you had it on a charger) you could probably drive all day using ONLY current for the ignition. Charlie Stephens

05-27-2015, 11:21 AM	#8
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Gen not working When you get it home, they are easy to get working again. On the bench remove the rear cover after marking its position. Use wood type sand paper to clean the armeture. Crocus cloth seems like the thing to use, but it can get stuck in between the segments and cause a short. Wood type sand paper will not short. Clean the brushes with a clean cloth, and make sure the springs work freely. Install the brushes so far that the spring holds them by thier sides, then spring them loose after the end cap is back on. Of course you will clean everything while apart and put a dab of fresh grease in the end bushing.