Hi all,
I'm at the steep end of the learning curve here, but I'm trying to figure out what the problem is with charging system on my 67 Duetto. I have been scouring these bulletin boards and learned a lot, but I'm not sure what to do next. I've replaced the voltage regulator with a new Bosch unit, the battery is at full charge, and the fuses and fuse box are in good shape.
The symptoms are pretty standard: the battery isn't charging, and the generator light glows constantly and will often get brighter with faster revs. I have the Alfa Romeo Owner's Bible and his one line about the gen light is that it means "the ground wire to the generator is probably bad." (92) Now, my generator has a D+ terminal (red wire) and a DF terminal (black wire), strung to the voltage regulator. There is also a threaded hole with D- written next to it, only there is no terminal or corresponding wire attached here. So that's the generator.
On my old Bosch regulator, there were separate terminals for, on the left, B+ (two spades here), and 61 (one spade); and on the right, DF (spade), D+ (larger spade), and a lower bolt for D-. The new regulator, also Bosch and correct for 1600s, puts only B+ on the left side, and on the right D+ and 61 on the same bolt, with DF on another and D- on the lower bolt. I did the logical thing and fixed both 61 and D+ wires to the shared terminal, and connected everything else as appropriate.
When I reconnected the battery and started the car up, there was still no charge to the battery, and still a glowing GEN light on the dash.
So obviously the voltage regulator is not at fault here, and I'm lead to believe that my generator is just tired. But the fact that there is a D- terminal on it and nothing attached to that makes me wonder. I've had this car for a little over a year and these electrical problems have only started happening since the weather got rainy (and of course I've been running wipers, heater, lights, more often than before).
Is an alternator conversion the ultimate fix here? I'm almost hoping it is, in spite of the time and money I've already spent trying to figure out what the problem is.
If anyone can help me with some tips on diagnosing the generator (I have a mulitimeter), that would be great. Or if this seems like an obvious time to swap in an alternator, any tips on that would be great, too.
Thanks,
Aaron
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Here's the car )