Generator light comes and goes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stevedh76 · 06-15-2009, 04:50 PM

Hello all! I searched all over and didnt find so i thought i would ask. Is the generator light suppose to come on from time to time or do i have a bad connection to the generator on my 62? Sometimes it is on bright and sometimes not and then it shuts off and comes on. Kind of erratic. Does this mean that i need to replace the brushes? Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh by the way - on the way to work was driving at around 60 and then the light came on and the truck seemed to lose power for a few seconds. I backed off and she came back to life. Like i said - thanks for the info in advance.

stevedh76 · 06-15-2009, 05:53 PM

Nobody run into this one before i guess?

**Corts60** · 06-15-2009, 06:05 PM

I had the same problem on my '60 and unfortunately, it means your generator is on it's last legs.

It will eventually come on and stay on and that, my friend, is the end. I had mine rebuilt locally for under $200 I think. That is the look I wanted so I didn't swap to an alternator and I couldn't afford the "gener-nator".

If your not worried about period correctness, I would swap out for an alternator as it is a cleaner and more reliable power. I believe somewhere on this board there is a thread for just that swap.

-Cort

jchav62 · 06-16-2009, 09:43 AM

Yup...she's going out. My dad used to rebuild those all the time. I don't think they're that difficult to re-brush. An altenator would be the way to go. Better charge, more reliable, like Cort said.

Anyhow, I have an old generator on the shelf that's good out of a '62.

jason65 · 06-16-2009, 09:56 AM

It could also be your mechanical voltage regulater. Those are cheap and easy. I'd try that first. I converted to a 80s style alternator. There better all the way around.

502tripower · 06-16-2009, 10:01 AM

If you do switch to a alternator do not trash the generator. They can be rebuilt and are valuable to someone doing a correct vehicle. It is not just a matter of replacing the brushes. It is more likely the armature needs to be turned as well and it may need to be rewound. Good Luck

stevedh76 · 06-16-2009, 03:47 PM

Thanks for the replies. I want to keep a generator on this truck as im going to keep it all original and restore it as such. Im going to get the $50 rebuild kit which includes everything except the armature and try that. If it still doesnt fix it then may just buy a new one. Jchav62 - what were you looking to get for yours by chance?

stevedh76 · 06-16-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason65

It could also be your mechanical voltage regulater. Those are cheap and easy. I'd try that first. I converted to a 80s style alternator. There better all the way around.

Jason, Are you talking about the voltage reg on the front by the radiator? If so i will try that first and foremost. You know where to find one that is period correct? Thanks in advance

jchav62 · 06-16-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevedh76

Jason, Are you talking about the voltage reg on the front by the radiator? If so i will try that first and foremost. You know where to find one that is period correct? Thanks in advance

The regulator is mounted on the radiator support. I believe you can get them at your local Autozone, Checker and such. I'm not sure about period correct. I got one for my truck not too long ago and it had a plastic cover, shorter than the old one, but it worked...it was only about $8-$10 if I remember correctly...

Also, sent you a PM...JC62

**l79m20** · 06-16-2009, 07:45 PM

The real one will have a hyphenated embossing one slightly below the other. Period correct Delco Remy
Cheers,,,,,,,,,,,sometimes you can keep the original cover and use it on the repro...........will still look right..Kirby

stevedh76 · 06-18-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchav62

The regulator is mounted on the radiator support. I believe you can get them at your local Autozone, Checker and such. I'm not sure about period correct. I got one for my truck not too long ago and it had a plastic cover, shorter than the old one, but it worked...it was only about $8-$10 if I remember correctly...

Also, sent you a PM...JC62

Joe - Replied via PM - Thanks!

06-15-2009, 04:50 PM	#1
stevedh76 Shlongbed #20 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Artesia, NM Posts: 55	Generator light comes and goes Hello all! I searched all over and didnt find so i thought i would ask. Is the generator light suppose to come on from time to time or do i have a bad connection to the generator on my 62? Sometimes it is on bright and sometimes not and then it shuts off and comes on. Kind of erratic. Does this mean that i need to replace the brushes? Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh by the way - on the way to work was driving at around 60 and then the light came on and the truck seemed to lose power for a few seconds. I backed off and she came back to life. Like i said - thanks for the info in advance. __________________ SEMPER FIDELIS - USMC 1962 Chevy C10 LWB StepSide 235/4 speed 1976 GMC Sierra C15 LWB Fleetside 350/350 ------------------------------------------- 1999 Acura Integra LS 2008 Vulcan 900 Custom

06-15-2009, 05:53 PM	#2
stevedh76 Shlongbed #20 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Artesia, NM Posts: 55	Re: Generator light comes and goes Nobody run into this one before i guess? __________________ SEMPER FIDELIS - USMC 1962 Chevy C10 LWB StepSide 235/4 speed 1976 GMC Sierra C15 LWB Fleetside 350/350 ------------------------------------------- 1999 Acura Integra LS 2008 Vulcan 900 Custom

06-15-2009, 06:05 PM	#3
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: Generator light comes and goes I had the same problem on my '60 and unfortunately, it means your generator is on it's last legs. It will eventually come on and stay on and that, my friend, is the end. I had mine rebuilt locally for under $200 I think. That is the look I wanted so I didn't swap to an alternator and I couldn't afford the "gener-nator". If your not worried about period correctness, I would swap out for an alternator as it is a cleaner and more reliable power. I believe somewhere on this board there is a thread for just that swap. -Cort __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

06-16-2009, 09:43 AM	#4
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Generator light comes and goes Yup...she's going out. My dad used to rebuild those all the time. I don't think they're that difficult to re-brush. An altenator would be the way to go. Better charge, more reliable, like Cort said. Anyhow, I have an old generator on the shelf that's good out of a '62. __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

06-16-2009, 09:56 AM	#5
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Re: Generator light comes and goes It could also be your mechanical voltage regulater. Those are cheap and easy. I'd try that first. I converted to a 80s style alternator. There better all the way around.

06-16-2009, 10:01 AM	#6
502tripower Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Satsop, WA Posts: 606	Re: Generator light comes and goes If you do switch to a alternator do not trash the generator. They can be rebuilt and are valuable to someone doing a correct vehicle. It is not just a matter of replacing the brushes. It is more likely the armature needs to be turned as well and it may need to be rewound. Good Luck __________________ 1963' Chev Custom Cab 502, 67' 435hp 3X2 intake, 9" 4:30 Posi 1961 Impala SS 348/350 4-speed 3:70 Posi 1961 Bel-Air Bubble Top 283 Turboglide soon to have a 348 3X2 4-speed 1950 17' Fairliner twin cockpit barrel stern 312 Y block 1X1 intake Borg Warner 1:1 gear 1957 Fleetform 14' twin cockpit barrel stern 1969 BP-125 Merc 1949 Transitier 3-wheel forklift Crosley 4-Banger 98' FXD 2002 2500HD

06-16-2009, 03:47 PM	#7
stevedh76 Shlongbed #20 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Artesia, NM Posts: 55	Re: Generator light comes and goes Thanks for the replies. I want to keep a generator on this truck as im going to keep it all original and restore it as such. Im going to get the $50 rebuild kit which includes everything except the armature and try that. If it still doesnt fix it then may just buy a new one. Jchav62 - what were you looking to get for yours by chance? __________________ SEMPER FIDELIS - USMC 1962 Chevy C10 LWB StepSide 235/4 speed 1976 GMC Sierra C15 LWB Fleetside 350/350 ------------------------------------------- 1999 Acura Integra LS 2008 Vulcan 900 Custom

06-16-2009, 07:45 PM	#10
l79m20 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Reading, Kansas Posts: 628	Re: Generator light comes and goes The real one will have a hyphenated embossing one slightly below the other. Period correct Delco Remy Cheers,,,,,,,,,,,sometimes you can keep the original cover and use it on the repro...........will still look right..Kirby



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