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?

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

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.

Re: Gen not working
 

on a ford its usually just the brushes.

Re: Gen not working
 

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

Re: Gen not working
 

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.

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

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.