I have a Ford 3000 diesel and have replaced many parts including a new generator (but not the regulator). I have polarized the generator. The generator light comes on brightly when it is at idle and also comes on dimly when operating above 1500 rpm. Should either of these happen? Is the regulator the problem?
RickB
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Likely causes are the regulator or wiring problems. The last tractor I worked on with that system had symptoms that led everyone towards the VR, but actually the wire from the VR to the generator armature was shorted to ground. Not broken, just shorted to ground.
Soundguy
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easy to check with jumper wires and / or a vom and test lamp to verify the wire harness. after you know it is good, do a full field test. jumper bat to field.. see what it does with the charge lamp.. andalso to bat volts... make sure vreg and genny are both grounded well..
IMHO.. i'd never replace a genny and NOT get a new vreg...
soundguy
IMHO.. i'd never replace a genny and NOT get a new vreg...
soundguy
RickB
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The situation I referenced was unique becaust the wiring ohmed out fine while doing a basic wire check. The offending conductor just happened to have a dead short to ground as well, without causing damage to either the VR or generator. I put a front harness on it, repolarized it, and was done.
Soundguy
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- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
It's a great point you brought up.. many people overlook the harness. I had a friend that was killing alternators in his late 80's model compact car every month.. I finally went over to his house to see what his problem was. the charge line had a crimp connector with a round terminal end to go onthe charge lug at the alt.. it was badly made and a SINGLE strand of the 10awg wire was actually making contact.
I imagine that poor alt was charging at high to try to bring up the bat volts it saw as low onthe bat sense line.. basically was charging itself to death... yet still leaving the car with a low battery most of the time.
Ironically a 59 cent connector and 30 seconds of soldering solved his problem..
soundguy
I imagine that poor alt was charging at high to try to bring up the bat volts it saw as low onthe bat sense line.. basically was charging itself to death... yet still leaving the car with a low battery most of the time.
Ironically a 59 cent connector and 30 seconds of soldering solved his problem..
soundguy
