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Rough weekend for a cruise

Started by Cadillac Jack 82, October 11, 2015, 11:25:22 AM

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Cadillac Jack 82


So this was a great weekend for cruising...sun is out...temperature is nice...however I've run into some issues.  First and foremost my tire decided to kick the hubcap off sometime on Friday evening.  Found a replacement but as you can imagine it wasn't cheap (175).  Now this morning it appears as if my generator has died.  The GEN light kicked on after the generator started making a noise.  I suspect maybe a bad bearing but who knows.  Does anyone have any hacks to see if I can get it working again?  I have a big car show next Saturday and I want to make sure this sucker is working properly.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Cadillac Jack 82


Tested the generator...its only pushing out .68 volts....so for the most part its shot.  If anyone has an extra one laying around that they would be willing to sell please let me know.  Also I'm having a problem with a fast idle which wasn't an issue before...whats causing this?
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Walter Youshock

Feel your pain.  Took mine to Hershey Friday night and got stuck in the route 81 parking lot from hell.  Gen light started to faintly glow until I got off the hi way and got moving again.  Plan was to attend a CLC show in New Jersey today and return home--great trip.

6:30 this morning, the light popped on bright on the way to the second show of the weekend.  Swapped regulators (I always carry a spare), pulled the generator apart and cleaned the commutator.  Nothing.  Came home on a roll back...

Get used to it, my friend.  It's baptism by fire.
CLC #11959 (Life)
1957 Coupe deVille
1991 Brougham

Scot Minesinger

Tim,

There is a great list of recommended parts and supplies that it is always good to carry with you.  Sandy K the CLC Potomac Region secretary has the list.  Aside from the starter and water pump I always carry them (alternator, voltage regulator, and etc.).  If I take a long trip then the water pump, starter and floor jack go in the trunk.  Also, there are special tools too, such as for my 1970 you need an 1-1/4" wrench and a 1" tubing wrench for fuel work.  I carry a few other parts for my friends too.  One time a friend in a 74 Cadillac with optional electronic ignition was towed to the car show on a roll back, and I repaired his car by replacing the coil in distributor cap.  He drove home and it reams in place five years later.

Once you get all the bugs out, your car should be reliable.
Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty

Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373

I dont have much to say, other than I understand my friend.
Jeff
Jeff Rosansky
CLC #28373
1970 Coupe DeVille (Big Red)
1955 Series 62 (Baby Blue)
Dad's new 1979 Coupe DeVille

Philippe M. Ruel

Quote from: 57shark82 on October 11, 2015, 12:07:39 PMTested the generator...its only pushing out .68 volts....so for the most part its shot.  If anyone has an extra one laying around
Remove the belt and try turning the generator pulley. If it makes noise, the bearing may be faulty. No other solution than a repair or exchange. Most any 12V Delco generator will fit - from any GM car, truck, tractor of the late 50s or early 60s - till you get the correct one or repair yours.

If no bearing noise, disassemble and check carbon brushes. These are "wearing parts" and should be replaced after years of use.
New brushes for a Delco generator must be in the $5-$10 range. Not easy to find in Europe, I don't know if they are available at the parts store next block in the US. If so, clean commutator with emery cloth, and install new brushes. Any auto electrician can do the job - and may provide for new brushes - if you are not sure how to do it.
1952 60 Special in France.

Gene Beaird

Quote from: Philippe M. Ruel on October 12, 2015, 01:08:38 AM

New brushes for a Delco generator must be in the $5-$10 range. Not easy to find in Europe, I don't know if they are available at the parts store next block in the US. If so, clean commutator with emery cloth, and install new brushes. Any auto electrician can do the job - and may provide for new brushes - if you are not sure how to do it.

And IF you have a Factory Service Manual, it should explain the steps to rebuild your generator yourself.  They're usually pretty good at that.  I know the FSM for our 68 Calais does an excellent job on the process to rebuild the alternator, and refreshing the points.   :D

And I'd add a jack stand, or two to that kit that goes in the trunk with the floor jack.  Floor jacks can fail unannounced, so it's always safe to have the car sitting on stands if you're under it.  Good luck!
Gene Beaird,
1968 Calais
1979 Seville
Pearland, Texas
CLC Member No. 29873

walt chomosh #23510

Tim,
  I had two generator failures on my 1955CDV and that was enough for me! I installed an GM alternator(commonly available at any parts store in the country) and have never had a problem since. The local overhaul shop told me that replacement parts for generators are now all low grade Chinese made junk. My car is a driver and I demand reliability....walt...tulsa,ok

Cadillac Jack 82


Well I was lucky to find a used but rebuilt generator for only 100 bucks on Ebay.  Its a late 50s/early 60s Generator and its an exact match to what was on my car when I received it.  Looks like the generator was a rebuilt model as well and I suspect (without pulling it apart) that the bearings went bad as previously mentioned.  My replacement generator will arrive in the next few days so hopefully the issue will be resolved by then.  Again its not that big of a deal but it can certainly bring down ones spirits when you want to go cruising.  Wish me luck and hopefully I'll see some of you at the Rockville Carshow this coming weekend.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Cadillac Jack 82


Hubcap replaced...it was kinda tough getting it on last night but it popped on.  Any good tips for keeping these suckers on?  I've gone around the edges with a rubber mallet and they seem secure but I do not want to be replacing more of these in the future (cost=175!)

Generator is out on the truck for delivery today.  Wish me luck!  I'll install this after I get home from work and test it out.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Dan LeBlanc

Don't forget to polarize it after installing it before you start the car.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Cadillac Jack 82


Will do.  That's just taking a wire (or screw driver) and briefly tapping B and A on the voltage regulator, right?
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Walter Youshock

CLC #11959 (Life)
1957 Coupe deVille
1991 Brougham

Cadillac Jack 82


Success!  Installed the new generator, polarized it, then fired my car up.  Started right up no issues and everything electrical works 100% great now.  Tested the generator and its pushing 15.51 volts at idle.  The only thing I see that may be an issue (or perhaps an adjustment) is I have a faint glow of the GEN light when parked or when accelerating.  When I place the car in drive, reverse, or when I come to a complete stop the GEN light fades out.  The glow is very faint but its noticeable.  Whats causing this?  Too much tension on the belt?  Voltage regulator adjustment? 
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Philippe M. Ruel

Quote from: 57shark82 on October 15, 2015, 10:27:11 PMTested the generator and its pushing 15.51 volts at idle.
Way too much.

It should be in the 12-13 V range at idle (12.5-13 for an alternator), and not exceed 14.5 at high rpm. Have you checked output at, say, 2,000 rpm ?

The regulator should be checked and adjusted, it may be the cause for former generator failure.
1952 60 Special in France.

Glen

Phillippe beat me to it. 

It could be the voltage is too high causing the light to come on.  Normally the charging voltage for a 12 volt battery is around 14 volts give or take a couple of tenths.  15.5 will boil the battery. 
Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104

Cadillac Jack 82


Okay figured it was a bit high.  I have the tension really tight so I'll back it off a bit and retest.  Anyone have a chart I can use for the voltage regulator adjustment? 
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Walter Youshock

Regulator needs to be adjusted.  I wouldn't drive the car until it's fixed.

Now get the original generator rebuilt and you'll be all set!
CLC #11959 (Life)
1957 Coupe deVille
1991 Brougham

Cadillac Jack 82


Okay I would like to correct a portion of my last post so that I can get the best advice to get this adjusted.  I have a very big show tomorrow and I don't want to end up not going because something isn't adjusted properly.

When I tested the power output of the generator I tested it at the generator itself.  I used the negative wire and grounded it on the body.  The positive wire I placed directly on the contact at A.  The output reading on my voltage reader was 15.58 or so.  Based on a conversation I had with a coworker I should have tested this at the battery; first at idle and then at 2500 rpm.  With those readings I was told I'd know how to move forward.

Question:  Where and what do I need to adjust on the voltage regulator to ensure that I'm not frying my system.  Battery is brand new and the voltage regulator looks aged (may be original, may be an older replacement).  Its the old style Delco voltage regulator so I'm familiar with them as I had one in my 1954 Buick.  Any advice is greatly appreciated as I really need to make this car show tomorrow.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

Walter Youshock

Measure it at the battery with car running.  The regulator is the "brain" of the system.  The cutout regulator is what's always on, off, on, off.  You really need a shop manual and an ammeter to adjust it. 

How are the points on the 3 sections of the regulator?  Try some fine sandpaper and shine up the contacts.  You're sure you got a 30 amp (nnon air) generator...
CLC #11959 (Life)
1957 Coupe deVille
1991 Brougham