Uggghhh... So I was cruising on the freeway in the 1967 122s (the one I'm about to drive to Minnesota) and I smelled that odd burning rubber/electrical smell commonly associated with other people's cars. "I sure hope that's not me" I thought, the smell persisting for about a mile. Suddenly, the smell went away but was replaced by the stubborn glow of the AMP light. Suspecting a broken belt, I killed the engine and coasted down the next exit. When I came to a stop (only a block away from my house--- not bad!), I opened the hood and found everything in order; Belt tension good, wiring intact, etc. so I drove it home. I replaced the regulator with a known-good one to no avail. I removed the belt and applied DC current from the battery to the D+ and ground and it spun rapidly and quietly like it should. I suspected it was just a false alarm, but after driving it for 15 minutes it failed to start, so the battery's definitely not charging. So now I think a wire must have shorted and fried, but nothing looks out of the ordinary. What to do? Are some wires more prone to shorting than others? What's the first place to look?

Ben in the Seattle town

Yeah, okay, I was hoping it was something easy, like low brake light fluid or some other fake problem that would just go away, but no, it was the generator. I metered the green wire's output at the VR and it was stupid so I took one out of my wagon (I HATE taking out/installing B18 generators) and it works just fine. At least I can get to Minnesota now. As far as my wagon goes, I'll throw a Delco unit in there upon my return so I can power the lazer cannons.

Thanks!

Ben

Get a multi meter they are cheap. You can try trouble shooting the gen., I had a lot more trouble with my voltage regulator than the gen. Iswitched to the 140 set up and that system also sucked. after 7 years of trouble free service I belive the AC delco is the way to go, but the future owner probably wants it stock so keep the bits.
p.s. I once drove 10 hrs using a fully charged battery and absolutly no charging current ( also went 3 days thru the midwest using a battery charger at night/truckstops).

Ben;

If the generator spins as a motor, that's a good sign, but it may be still be doing this with an open field, just on residual magnetism in the iron of the case.

Because of the intricacies and complexity of the OE charging system, the best way to troubleshoot is by substitution with known good parts, and since you've already tried the VR, the genny is oviously next. Check under brush-inspection band when unit is out of vehicle...check for field coil continuity.

Hint: Try to locate the problem by sniffing around for the telltale burned smell...including at VR and fuseblock wiring.

Good Luck

Pearl; Thanks for the honorable mention!...and I'm glad to hear your satisfied with your upgrade. When Ben's ready to upgrade, I hope to hear from him, but I understand if he want's to give the OE system another chance...

Cheers

Thanks Ron Kwas-- I am considering switching to an alternator. Since the car has a B20, it should be an easier conversion, no? For that matter, is it possible/advisable to use an alternator and VR from a 140 series Volvo? I'll try fixing this first, as I've never had any complaints about the generator in the past, but if it looks too fried I'll switch over (hopefully not in the middle of North Dakota).

-Ben

Ben;

Yes, it is possible to use an alt/VR from a 140, but unless you get the parts for next to nothing I wouldn't recommend it, since (I believe) the VR is not solid state, and most alternators available are just 35A units....so there's not much advantage to it, and it wouldn't be much of an upgrade.

If you're happy with your genny (make sure your fuseblock is absolutely clean and corrosion free!), first check out getting that back into service, but if you decide to change over, I recommend going all the way with an internal, solid state VR Delco unit, which you can get parts for, even in North Dakota! I can say with a high degree of confidence: You wont regret it!

Cheers

Ron - two items.

First thanks for help on another mater a couple of days ago.

Second, a plug for the conversion from generator to alternator. The kid who lives with us bought Swem Kit, got a Delco alternator for a few bucks at a pick-and-pull and we made the conversion. The kit made it easy. No problems and more juice. It also helped that we dismantled the fuse block, cleaned the parts and reassembled.

Thanks,

Jim Hampton

If the generator spins when voltage is applied, the brushes are making contact.
(That is what makes it spin)
If it were mine I'd pull the generator and take the brush cover off and see
what it looks like in there. The problems I've encountered with generators
include worn brushes, brush wires shorted against something (rare but possible)
and field windings coming apart and getting in contact with rotating parts.
If you catch them before much damage is done you can repair them and re-wrap
with glass electrical tape and they are good forever. One other problem is
deterioration of the fiber insulators where the electrical connection screws
go through the shell of the generator.

Another thing that will give false amp lights is electrical problems on the
circuit that includes the amp light. Biggest problem area here is poor fuse
connection and turn signal problems. Since it seems that the charge is not
getting to the battery, I'd look also at the wiring from the generator to the
amp light. If it is shorted it would also light the light and possibly keep
the gen from charging.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

By D+ I suspect you mean generator? The smell sounds like a mystery but it seems that the generator is not functioning properly, even if it is spinning. It could be the brushes in the generator. Before I converted to an alternator (a la Swdish Embassy.com) I was always having the type of problems you describe...since then, not even one problem. You might consider it, especially if your going to take a long road trip.
Other than that, if all your wiring, fuses and VR are OK, you may want to take out the generator and make sure the brushes are not worn down or grounding out.
Good luck.