Alas, another electrical problem!

[Puka]

Ok. So this is my first Buick. (and my first old car!) After a few years, finally got the thing restored (internally). Everything's painstakingly original. <P>I had this intermittent charging problem (for the past month or so) where occasionally the gauge would indicate that the batt. was being charged and sometimes it wasn't. Never had probs. with the battery running down though. <P>So, I left the parking lights on for about 30 mins. or so. But when I started the car, it started right up, no problem. Drove for about 45 minutes (don't recall if the gauge indicated that the batt. was being charged or not). But I did notice that a strange sound was coming from the engine compartment.<P>When I parked somewhere else for about 30 mins, and tried to start it, it wouldn't turn over. So, I jumped it with a 12v portable batt. jumper.<P>Got it home, though it was rough going. Then charged it with a 6v batt. charger.<P>So today, I put a stethoscope to the generator and it sound like a bunch of bolts tumbling in a clothes dryer!<P>So, everything appears good except the generator. Voltage regulator looks good, starter, solenoid, batt., wiring (new). <P>I've had about 5 problems over the past few years with this damn charging system! I don't know much about this aspect of the car, and I've had one guy rebuild the generator abou;3 times. I thought he was a good guy because he was around when my old man used to race hot-rods.<P>So 2 questions: <P>1. can anything in the car, if malfunctioning, mess up a generator? I am going to take it back to the guy tomorrow and he's probably going to say its my fault. Should I just buy another generator rather than have this one rebuilt? I just keep throwing money at it like an idiot.<P>2. Shouldn't these damn 6v systems work okay? After all these problems, I am thinking it would be a lot easier having 12v with alternator and built in volt. reg. (wch I have replaced on my car 3 times already!). It breaks my heart to have to switch over to 12v, but this is my only car now, and so I need it to be somewhat reliable. Really bugged about this, because I want to keep it all original, but what to do?<P>If you respond, thank you for your time!

[The Old Guy]

The only thing you could do to hurt the generator is tighten the belt too tight. If done properly ,a generator should run almost indefinitely. I have replaced the one on my 40 Buick once in 30 years. I have put new brushes in twice , but I have driven the poor thing 90,000 plus miles.i think I would find someone else to repair it if I were you

[our51super]

I can only reflect on my own experiences so here goes: I don't think the 6V system is probalmatic at all. On our car (51 Super) we had the generator rebuilt, (once), and I replaced the voltage generator, (once). The battery is also new. This was all done about a year ago and the system has not given us any problems at all. It turns over quite well and never left us stranded (knock on wood). In my opinion, I would let someone else take a crack at that generator. It shouldn't sound like bolts tumbling in a dryer. if anything, on a new generator you should hear a slight noise from the brushes until they wear in (mine sounded like a high pitch whine for about a week or two). My recommendation is to let someone else rebuild your generator. Another thing you should consider that I didn't see you mention is polarizing the system when you replace the generator. I forget the exact instructions (maybe someone else can help) but once you've installed a newly rebuilt generator you have to short out momentarily the BAT terminal with the GEN terminal at the voltage regulator. (I'm just not sure if it's the BAT and GEN or which two out of the three). This polarizes the system to ensure the generator will charge. If you have a shop manual for your car it will be spelled out there as far as what two terminals to short.<P>Good luck.

[Puka]

Well, I took the gen. out and brought it in to the shop that "rebuilt" it. I don't think they'll stand behind it, but I'll get a call tomorrow with an "estimate." One of the guys maintains that the bearings are "messed up" and that I must've tightened the belt too much. My friend, who's a great mechanic says that there is no way that you could tighten the gen. belt so much that it would hurt the generator on my car.<P>I reckon I'll take the generator and have it rebuilt by either CLassic Buicks or Bob's Automobilia (CA) or Buick Specialists (WA).<P>Funny thing about the guys who've rebuilt the gen. before is that every time I have it rebuilt, there is something more to do. Doesn't rebuilding a generator involve just that? That is, rebuilding the damn thing, replacing all parts? <P>Puka<P>"Name me somebody who's not a parasite and I'll go out and say a prayer for them."<BR>--Bob Dylan

[Guest]

What year and model is your Buick? I may have a unit for it

[our51super]

Why did you go back if you weren't happy with their work and they don't stand behind it with some sort of warranty? Just curious.

[Puka]

Took it back to the same place because I had already dumped money into it and figured I'd at least hear what they have to say.<P>They tell me it's the bearings and that the belt is too tight. So it's $10. We'll see if that works. If not, I'll just have it rebuilt completely someplace else.

[our51super]

How do you go about checking the belt for proper tension? I was told a while ago by a mechanic I worked for while in high school that a belt is tight enough when you can turn it a quarter of a turn (i.e., 90 degrees from the normal plane that it lies in - this applies to the longest side of the belt). If you can turn it more then it's too loose and vice versa. I would recommend trying this method and see how it works out for you. I have used it consistently and I have never had a belt make noise or a bearing go out on me. Good luck.<p>[ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: our51super ]