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58 SDV: Generator Light on

Started by wbdeford, September 05, 2016, 10:58:17 AM

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wbdeford

How do I determine whether it is the generator or the regulator that is at fault?  It was coming on intermittently, but now it is on constantly.  It is giving me at least 2 hours of driving with no noticeable change in cranking power (lights off). 
1958 Sedan de Ville

Past:
1956 Fleetwood 75 Sedan
1957 Fleetwood 60 Special
1958 Miller-Meteor Futura Landau Duplex
1960 Coupe de Ville
1966 De Ville Convertible
1970 De Ville Convertible
1971 Eldorado Convertible
1979 Sedan de Ville
1980 Seville

fishnjim

Check the wiring diagram in the manual but I think the light comes on when the key is on but not running but may have confused with oil light.  That's one of those circuit board light also.   So could be in ignition switch, wiring, or gen/VR circuit.
Check/top up the battery water.   Check for bad cell.   Check brushes.   Pull VR cover and check the points so they're not burnt/stuck.
I'd polarize the VR then to see if that cures it.   
Then you have to check for voltage when it's running.  If its charging OK it'll be around 16 VDC. if not, it'll drop from 11.8VDC.  VR will normally cut in/out but if there's no gen output the battery voltage will drop.
If you don't have test equipment you might run it by the local auto parts and have them test it for free.   Their tester should work.   Or any auto electric shop will test it for you, sometimes free.   
I run a podmount voltmeter on mine so you always know what's going on.   Idiot lights don't speak. 

willits

I would guess brushes if the Gen light coming on was intermittent and now constant, but check the attached.   I believe this is from a Motors Manual.  It has a good troubleshooting that will help pinpoint the problem with a couple of jumper wires. 
Peter
Peter Willits
1958 Coupe DeVille http://bit.ly/1O6BGVu
1961 62 Convertible http://bit.ly/1O6BHst
2008 STS-V http://bit.ly/1O6CI3P

wbdeford

Thanks, Peter and Jim.  I think I understand the system well enough now to test it next time I run the car.  (I put new brushes in it about a year ago, so they shouldn't be worn out.)
1958 Sedan de Ville

Past:
1956 Fleetwood 75 Sedan
1957 Fleetwood 60 Special
1958 Miller-Meteor Futura Landau Duplex
1960 Coupe de Ville
1966 De Ville Convertible
1970 De Ville Convertible
1971 Eldorado Convertible
1979 Sedan de Ville
1980 Seville

Dan LeBlanc

Don't assume that the brushes are still good because they were replaced a year ago.

A friend of mine had new brushes installed in his car on the way back from a road trip and they didn't last long.  Turns out the armature was a little boogered up and took the brushes out in short order.  We're talking maybe 1000mi short order.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

wbdeford

Well, if tests show the problem is with the generator itself, it will be coming apart anyway.
1958 Sedan de Ville

Past:
1956 Fleetwood 75 Sedan
1957 Fleetwood 60 Special
1958 Miller-Meteor Futura Landau Duplex
1960 Coupe de Ville
1966 De Ville Convertible
1970 De Ville Convertible
1971 Eldorado Convertible
1979 Sedan de Ville
1980 Seville

wbdeford

While testing the generator, my water pump (which I already knew was ready for a rebuild) started leaking enough such that the fan started spraying a little bit of water upward, so I pulled both of them off the car and hooked up a battery to confirm what the generator is indeed dead.  The cause was obvious....when I looked inside, it was clear that the brushes had broken off of their wires.

Anyone know what would cause that?  I know the answer is probably that I didn't install the brushes correctly a year ago, but if someone knows what dumb mistake I likely made, that could help me not repeat it.
1958 Sedan de Ville

Past:
1956 Fleetwood 75 Sedan
1957 Fleetwood 60 Special
1958 Miller-Meteor Futura Landau Duplex
1960 Coupe de Ville
1966 De Ville Convertible
1970 De Ville Convertible
1971 Eldorado Convertible
1979 Sedan de Ville
1980 Seville

D.Yaros

Just a wild guess here.  I am thinking that if the brushes were installed backwards, the angle of the mating surfaces would be such as to jerk the wire right out of the brush?
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

wbdeford

Will check if that is even possible when my new brushes arrive tomorrow....I'm thinking there was no way it would have lasted a year if they were in backward, but we'll see.  Thanks.
1958 Sedan de Ville

Past:
1956 Fleetwood 75 Sedan
1957 Fleetwood 60 Special
1958 Miller-Meteor Futura Landau Duplex
1960 Coupe de Ville
1966 De Ville Convertible
1970 De Ville Convertible
1971 Eldorado Convertible
1979 Sedan de Ville
1980 Seville

wbdeford

I am guessing that I put the brushes on in such a way that there was tension on the wires...the wire connector may have been turned the wrong way.  I made sure I did not do that this time.  Thanks, Peter, for the doc you posted, which showed how to test a generator as a motor.  I posted a video of me testing mine:

https://youtu.be/hh97urPyP5E
1958 Sedan de Ville

Past:
1956 Fleetwood 75 Sedan
1957 Fleetwood 60 Special
1958 Miller-Meteor Futura Landau Duplex
1960 Coupe de Ville
1966 De Ville Convertible
1970 De Ville Convertible
1971 Eldorado Convertible
1979 Sedan de Ville
1980 Seville