Generator flatlined

jac912 · jac912's Garage

Funny how old cars behave. Perfect performace on Friday .... dead in it's tracks on Saturday. The gen. I bought less than a year ago...maybe 1500 miles.. suddenly quit. On two or three occassions in the last week I would start up and the gen. light would stay on bright until I popped up the rpms a couple times then all would be normal. Today the light stayed on. Tried all the tests in the "Orange bible" and all point to a dead generator. Question for you seasoned DC Gen. experts... What most likely suddenly fails as oppossed to wearing out? This will be my third time swapping out the gen. in one year and it's my least favorite task.

Green 912 · 03-31-2002, 05:12 PM

Generators are simple in function and tend to be robust. 3 in a year, you might want to look as to why. Have you checked the regulator function and all its related conections, and the battery and its wires?

On the generator, check all conectors external and internal, the brushes, winding ohms through and no shorts to ground.

Having to rev up to kill the gen light can be a failing (or just sticking mech type) regulator, a bad connection, a bad battery and a bad generator. (Or some kind of major elec overload like a hardwired 9000watt sub and 100amp driving lights)

josh912 · 03-31-2002, 08:07 PM

I'm no generator expert, but I had the same problem. The rebuilt generators just aren't as good as they use to be. The best you can do is to keep trying. I would also replace your voltage regulator, just in case thats the problem.

jac912 · jac912's Garage

The problem may have been caused by a bad or failing regulator, new last summer also, and I'll replace it after the gen. is rebuilt. There certainly must be a short in the gen. 'cause everything else is good and the one place I don't have hi-tech toys is in my 912 ...where I go to get away from that stuff (see profile).I think I will rebuid it myself this time or go to a local guy and be a pest.
Has anyone added an alternator to a 912?

adot · 04-01-2002, 04:08 AM

Hey Jac912

Make sure you have the right reg. for your generator too. If you have a large dia reg. 68-69, and small dia. generator 65-67, the reg. will let to much current flow out the generator. Here is a good link to info

http://www.hillmanimages.com/912/generator.html

Good Luck

Brett

C. Clark · C. Clark's Garage

All the above is probable. A major problem with rebuilt generators is the same problem with rebuilt carbs, they are on the third or fourth or more generational rebuild. In essence they're worn out, and should'nt be rebuilt at all but rebuilding companys continue in order to have something to sell.
I located a local fellow who rebuilds starters and generators semi locally. I may not always like what he says but at least the money is well spent. Perhaps you have some one in your area....
Happy motoring,
Chas.