Posted by Eric B. on Monday, August 05, 2002 at 9:41AM :
The stock charging system in my 58 W100 does not work, and I need to know how to troubleshoot it.
I have all the wiring diagrams, so I have checked to make sure the wiring is all in the correct place, but I don't know how to test the generator, or voltage regulator.
I have three or four voltage regulators, and two generators.
If I could figure out which ones were good (if any) then if the system still did not work I could go looking for bad wires. As it is right now I am not sure where to start.
I have a digital readout amp/voltmeter, and a bulb test light, do I need more tools?
What I need to know, is:
What should the generator read, and where should my test leads be to get that reading?
How do I polarize the generator so that it will charge in case it lost its polarization?
Once I have a working generator, how do I test the voltage regulator, and does it need to be polarized as well?
Can auto parts stores test generators like they do alternators?
Any and all help would be great, as charging systems are one of the last mysteries for me to figure out, I have most of the rest of the wiring figured out already.
Thanks!
Eric
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