My '79 generator light stays on after starting. I had the alternator tested twice and both times tested good. The battery is new and the voltmeter gage shows good voltage. I also replaced the 2-wire plug in thinking that might be the problem. The light is still on.

Any help sure would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ron

 

Kstyer helped me with this a couple years back.  There is a $6.00 part inside the alternator that I had to replace and I can't remember the name of the part, but all told it took about an hour to replace (because I'm not as mechanically inclined as some others) on the kitchen table.  If my mind serves me it was the regulator, but I can't be sure.

I was told my alternator needed to be rebuilt, so that one $6.00 part was a life saver.  I can't stand alternator shops anymore!  Sorry I can't be more help.  Hope Ken visits this thread and puts me straight!

It's the diode trio.  It connects to the internal voltage regulator.  If you go back through some threads, you can find my procedures and test.  It's really not that hard.   I don't remember the thread, but search for alternator, and light.   It should show up.

I replaced my voltage regulator last year following Ken's procedure, except the part for my 82 was $22 at Auto Zone.  Fixed the problem for a few months ...thought life was good and proud of myself for making the repair.....and then the light came on again and the voltage guage would move up into the 18+ range.  I opted to replace the entire alternator for about $70. 

Ken, Thanks for the help. It turned out to be a diode. Since the part is internal and needed to be taken apart, had it rebuilt to keep it original. Hopefully it will last another 27 years!

Ron

 

Suki:

Shame to hear you didn't attempt this fix yourself!  The procedure is not that hard, and would have taken about an hour at the kitchen table (believe me, I'm no wrench head).  I actually think it took longer to take the alternator off and put it back on than it did to change out the diode.

Anyway, glad to hear we could help.

I take the chastisement.  I was going to rebuild it myself just for the experience, but the guy that did it is highly recommended by everyone here in the Jacksonville FL area because he does nothing but alternators, starters, and the like. He immediately knew what the problem was when I called. He did a total rework and cleaned it up so that it looks like new. You're right that it probably takes more time to get it off and on than rebuilding.

Thanks for all the replys.

Ron

 

Ron,

 I don't think Mark was meaning to chastise you. Sometimes we say things and they come across the wrong way.

Sarge

Sarge8138923.5897222222

Hey Sarge and Mark,

I didn't mean to sound like I took it the wrong way. I was just agreeing that I took the easy way out by having someone else rebuild the alternator. Everyone should try to do as much of their own work as they are capable. Most times I do as long as it doesn't involve getting inside the engine. My talents aren't that good.

Ron

 

Suki:

I think it is a trend common among the 79 owners, with the exception of Lukesvette/Paul, that we're not well-known for our generous proportions of wrenchability.  Hell, other than the alternator rebuild, I have had to hire everything else out that has been done to my Pride and Joy since I bought her back in '96!

As a matter of fact, she'll be going back into the shop later this week to get a good going over so I am confident on making the trip down to Ken's in Cuyahoga Falls in late August!  I finally hooked up with a mechanic who has put "honesty" and "integrity" ahead of "greed" and I am confident he will fix anything I throw at him.  He's a good guy, a great wrenchhead, and builds his own motors for his racing boats, and he's taking the time to teach the business to his son, who just replaced the water pump on my Jeep last week (long story...won't talk about the burn I received from the exhaust pipe spending an entire Saturday under the thing trying to fix the same problem!)

Anyway, I guess I'm saying, we all do what we can do, and we try what we feel comfortable trying.  I, for one, am not comfortable tearing my motor apart, because I am not confident I can put it back together without more problems than I had going in.

Sarge is right, never expect me to CHASTISE anyone on this forum!  That would definitely be hypocritical of me.