i need advise on polarizing the generator on my 58 Pontiac

[Guest ewing]

I have a 58 Pontiac which has a generator light that came on solid, and I decided to rebuild the generator( 80,000 miles on it). So the rebuild shop completed the job and tells me that the armature was 'shot' and replaced. I have reinstalled the generator and referred to my shop manual that tells me to polarize the generator by momentarily connecting a jumper wire between the BAT and GEN terminals.

I have done that and get no charging indicated ( red light stays on). Basically this is running the + side of the battery to the armature.

Now I have read some how to directions on line and see the advise on the old GM cars is to connect the '[Field' terminal to the Batt terminal on the regulator. Basically this is running the + side of the battery to the field coils....That is the opposite of the manual instruction.

So I plan to try this, ( Field to BATT terminals) to see if that works.

But I have to admit that I am electrically challenged. !

Does anyone have recent experience with this and can advise me which way is correct?

Thanks,

john

[poci1957]

I have a new NOS regulator that I think has instructions for that enclosed, will try to dig it out and write back

Todd Crews

POCI 1957 Technical Advisor

[Guest ewing]

thanks Todd.

I am collecting more info on circuits and I'll send along the info shortly.

Some of the local guys are starting to think that my regulator may be the problem.

I want to get a few more readings and will post tomorrow.

Thanks.

[Guest]

First, I thought 58 Pontiac's have a ammeter, not a idiot light.

To polarize Attach "Batt", "Gen", "F" and ground leads to regulator to polarize generator by momentarily touching a jumper wire to the "BAT" and "GEN" terminals on the regulator before starting your engine. BTW, The above polarization procedure is right out of the Pontiac service manual.

Don

Edited June 9, 2012 by helfen (see edit history)

[Guest ewing]

thanks, got it.

Now I am sorting thru why I can't get the 'idiot light' to go out

I start the engine and get 13.5 v at the regulator BATT terminal and only 1 v at the generator, which goes up to about 2 v when I rev up the engine.

I'm going to put a jumper on the regulator F to grd to see if that gives me 13.5+ v at the generator.

If it does, then I understand that that will tell me that the regulator is at fault?

[Guest Dansmith]

This Delco generator is an "A" circuit. the proper way to polarize it is to jump battery hot to the armature terminal. NEVER apply battery hot to the FIELD terminal of an A circuit regulator. You can instantly destroy the regulator. "B: circuit systems such as used on Ford are set up by jumping battery hot to the field. This holds true pos or neg ground.

To check the generator seperate of the regulator and prove out the wires. Remove the field wire from the regultor and while the eng is running ground out the field wire (not the regulator field terminal). If everything is good the generator will jump up well over battery voltage. If there is no change in armature terminal voltage try grounging the field terminal of the generator (with the field wire removed from the regulator.

Good luck

Dan Smith

[Guest ewing]

I grounded the F on the generator, after checking continuity on the F to F wire, and the generator light went out and I measured 13.5 +v from the generator Gen terminal to ground. and the gen light went out.

I didn't remove the F wire from the regulator though. I'll do that tomorrow to confirm that the gen is indeed working ok as it seems.

I think the regulator is the problem.

I wonder if NOS or replacements are still available at our local parts source store??

Seems to be a better option than trying to recalibrate it, as the manual describes that, but it seems over my head!

Edited June 9, 2012 by ewing (see edit history)

[Guest Dansmith]

It sounds like the regulator is indeed bad. You should be able to get one from the local NAPA or other larger parts store.

Dan

[Guest ewing]

thanks Dan, I look in to a new / replacement regulator.

[Guest ewing]

got a NOS regulator. Installed it today and everything is working.

I'm on the road again!