In a message dated 98-06-30 16:11:52 EDT, jape@email.unc.edu writes:
> My first thought was that something was wrong with the ignition switch,
> but someone suggested the regulator. The generator itself was rebuilt
> about 6000 miles ago, so I can't imagine it's the source of the problem
> (and no, the belt's not slipping).
>
> Am I looking at replacing the regulator or is there a fix? Could the
> earlier high revving could have damaged it?
John,
Answering the last question first, it is extremely unlikely that the excess
revving harmed the generator.
There is an easy way to tell if it's the generator or the regulator. Just
remove the two leads to the generator (the brown/yellow and the brown/green)
and place them carefully where they can't come into contact with ground. Short
the two generator terminals together with a short piece of wire and connect a
voltmeter with a 0 - 20 volt range between the jumper wire and ground. Start
the engine, and let it rev up slowly to around 1000 rpm, while watching the
voltmeter. If the generator is good, the voltage will rise steadily to
something between 15 and 20 volts. Don't rev the engine to the point that the
voltmeter reads over 20 volts. If you get a good reading, then the generator
is good and the regulator is your problem. If you don't get the correct
voltage reading, then the generator is toast.
The regulator can be adjusted, but it is a fairly complicated procedure. If it
is just plain bad, not just mis-adjusted, then it is nearly impossible for the
average home mechanic to fix.
Dan Masters,
Alcoa, TN
'71 TR6---------3000mile/year driver, fully restored
'71 TR6---------undergoing full restoration and Ford 5.0 V8 insertion - see:
http://www.sky.net/~boballen/mg/Masters/
'74 MGBGT---3000mile/year driver, original condition - slated for a V8 soon
'68 MGBGT---organ donor for the '74
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