Generator/Voltage regulator replacement ???

SurferBug · Post by **SurferBug** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:36 pm

Well Howdy! I am brand new to the Bug world, and stumbled upon this forum, with its wonderful array of technical savvy. My beautiful baby Bug needs his generator and voltage regulator replaced. I have succeeded in removing the regulator with no problem. The generator tho, has been difficult. I got the nut on the back of the fan out but was wondering if any one had any good advice on how to proceed?

Thanks a bunch!

fatalifeaten · Post by **fatalifeaten** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:08 pm

Do you have the generator out of the fan shroud yet?

SurferBug · Post by **SurferBug** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:38 pm

Not yet, I am in process of trying to get the carburetor off too because it is blocking the fan cover. But...once again, this is my first time trying this, and i don't want to screw it up:)

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:34 am

Whoa. Did you check the brushes first? More people have replaced their generators/regulators over a lousy $3 set of brushes than you could possibly count.

SurferBug · Post by **SurferBug** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:18 am

Wow...what do they look like? and how do I know if they are bad?....

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:38 am

There's one in the access slot on each side of the generator. They're held in place by a spring. When they wear out the spring tension is lost and there's no charging. You test them by putting pressure on them with the engine running. But you should be able to plainly see if they're worn to the point of no spring tension. Replace them by pulling back the spring, removing the brushes from the slots and removing a small screw at the end of the brush wire.

This is the most common cause of generator failure and a simple fix. (The top one anyway. The bottom one is harder to access.)

SurferBug · Post by **SurferBug** » Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:30 pm

Thank you for your awesome tip, unfortunately I already bought the generator:( Today I had to get some help getting off the two end pieces, and my mechanic said that I need to allow 8 shims on the pulley?...I don't know what a shim is, but i figured I could look it up online....If could explain, it would be loads of help.....

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:45 am

Beats me. He probably means for fanbelt adjustment.

Sorry, but it sounds like you're repaving the road for one pothole. If your mechanic were any good, he would have known to check the brushes.

SurferBug · Post by **SurferBug** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:20 pm

Sounds like it to me too..because replaced all the parts, connected them up, and tried to polarize the generator, and no power! I don't know whats wrong, but if anyone knows any special tricks, would help get mr.buggy on the road again....

Boris1966 · Post by **Boris1966** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:05 pm

The shims are the large thin metal washers that go behind the bolt for the fan belt. You are brave replacing the generator by yourslef. Do you have a haynes manual?

Leane

vjoshua · Post by **vjoshua** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:13 am

SurferBug wrote:Sounds like it to me too..because replaced all the parts, connected them up, and tried to polarize the generator, and no power! I don't know whats wrong, but if anyone knows any special tricks, would help get mr.buggy on the road again....

The only thing I could suggest is to try finding a new mechanic who knows his job and goes for the brushes (just like Blue Baron adviced) or use new generator rentals. Because I am not sure if replacing the generator by yourself is such a good idea in the end.

fatalifeaten · Post by **fatalifeaten** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:58 pm

vjoshua wrote: The only thing I could suggest is to try finding a new mechanic who knows his job and goes for the brushes (just like Blue Baron adviced) or use new generator rentals. Because I am not sure if replacing the generator by yourself is such a good idea in the end.

...Uh... OP was talking about the generator that powers the electrical system in his bug. This comment makes zero sense for that.

dkvde1 · Post by **dkvde1** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:34 pm

can you tell me how to polarize my voltage regulator.
the voltage regulator might be old and shoot, but it might help?

The 1966 VW Beetle Forum

Generator/Voltage regulator replacement ???

Generator/Voltage regulator replacement ???

Shim

Polarization -