Generator light always on

You should have measured 13.5 to 14.5V at the battery (fast idle). Take the meter and measure the voltage on Term #61 on the regulator. It should read the same as the battery. If it DOES read the same, then there is a wiring error or other problem in the speedo.

Thanks Jim, I just measured everything again. I got 12.3 V on the battery with the car off. With the engine running I got 12.5 V. Went to the engine bay and measured the D+ on the Gen. It reads 1.4V!!! What does this mean? Measured the No-load voltage according to bentley, 1.3V!!! the brushes seem ok (still protruding), and I thought the brushes don't fail all of a sudden but slowly, am I wrong?

What can I do to make sure it's the brushes or something else?

Karls

See the article on my web site: "How do I test my Generator?"

(Maybe it shows exactly the same test you just did; I'm not certain.)

I will do that after eating some junk food. This morning I tried pushing the brushes (one of them) and there was no travel at all. If they are OK and the Gen needs to be polarized, why did this happen? I understand that a car that has not been used in a long time needs polarization, but a daily driver? can a short circuit cause this? maybe a short on the voltage regulator caused by a scissor type jack stored right next to it? just guessing.

Karls

Perfect! I tested it as it says on your website, failed the test, so did the polarization procedure, it spun like a casino roulette. After that, I reconected the wires and fired it up. The Gen warning light went off just as it should. Thank you very much Jim.

Now I'd like to know, why did a daily driver with just 8 hours off needed a polarization? What went (or I did) wrong?

Karls

Something happened. I bet your theory about the jack hitting the terminals was it.

Sometimes a regulator will stick closed and do it too.

Jim

Karls,

Before I can reply to you I need to know what a polarization procedure is and how it is done. Sometime when I park the car for some time (+/-10 days) the generator light doesn't come on when I turn on the key. I start the engine, and then turn it off. The generator light comes on the next time I turn on the key. This is my only problem and I didn't try to find the cause yet.

Joao

See the article on Jim's web site: "How do I test my Generator?"