Generator/Axle trouble : Denmark/Sweden

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Neil Bardsley
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Generator/Axle trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#1 Post by Neil Bardsley »

We are in a European trip in our 356. Starting after the ferry from Germany to Denmark the red light came on. I pulled over and checked we still had a working fan belt. Tried quickly to clean the commutator but no luck. When we got to our hotel in Copenhagen I had another go.

I bought some wd40 equivalent and small paint brushes. Had a proper go at cleaning the commutator but no luck. I took the bush off. Checked and cleaned it but no luck. Then I took B+ battery in off the regulator but I was only getting .5 to 2 volts. Sprayed a lot of cleaner in and it did flicker up to 4v but not permanently. Then I tried pressing down in the bush with the wooden handle but no change in volts. I think it's more complicated than a dirty commutator.

The car is starting very nicely still Battery recharging in our hotel room.

Any other ideas for me to try?
Last edited by Neil Bardsley on Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#2 Post by Mike Wilson »

I would check the contacts in the voltage regulator. Maybe sticking. Clean with a suitable points file or very fine sandpaper.

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Neil Bardsley
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#3 Post by Neil Bardsley »

Thank you. I will do that. I have a feeler gauge what should the gap be?

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Martin Benade
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#4 Post by Martin Benade »

That’s an adjustment based on charging measurements. It’s not something to set to a particular dimension.
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Neil Bardsley
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#5 Post by Neil Bardsley »

I think I'm correct in saying I can run a 12v dyno with a 6v regulator? I found a classic vw place in Denmark. We are passing a very good 356 place in 3 days. Maybe I could fit it there?

https://www.hovwdiaudi.dk/product/?id=8190100602

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David Jones
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#6 Post by David Jones »

Better to fit a 6 volt vw generator complete with 6 volt regulator.
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Harlan Halsey
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#7 Post by Harlan Halsey »

When the charging circuit fails suddenly it has usually been a broken brush spring, never a "dirty" commutator. Occasionally a brush has worn too short for the spring to push it into contact. There are 2 brushes, an easy one on top and a hard to access one bottom. If it doesn't appear to be the brushes, then motor the generator. There's a recent thread on how to do this. If the generator motors, the problem is the regulator. Or vice versa.

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Neil Bardsley
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#8 Post by Neil Bardsley »

Just cleaned the points in the regulator. Then did the df to d- test no voltage. Called Peter Iversen a 356 specialist in Denmark about anyone that might have a 6v generator on the shelf. I thought this was a long shot but he suggested Porsche Center Copenhagen. If they couldn't help he had one he could send.

Fully charged battery back in the car.

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Jacques Lefriant
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#9 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

Hi Neil
you might have better luck fining a VW generator. even if it has a mounted regulator it should charge your battery. check with PR services.
cheers
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David Jones
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#10 Post by David Jones »

See post #6 Jacques.
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Jacques Lefriant
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#11 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

David you are the man.
 

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Neil Bardsley
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#12 Post by Neil Bardsley »

I know I don't know the failure yet but can heat coming up from the engine via the stand contribute?

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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#13 Post by Martin Benade »

That should be something its used to, not a problem.
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#14 Post by David Jones »

Neil, it's just an age related issue. The only thing that may have prevented it happening would have been a rebuild of both regulator and generator before your trip and even that would not be 100%.
We should all remember though that cooling is the most critical failure point in the 356 engine.
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Alan Hall
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Re: Dyno trouble : Denmark/Sweden

#15 Post by Alan Hall »

The 12 volt genewrat6or you posted the link to looks like the large diameter 12 volt which would not fit the generator stand on the motor. There is a small diameter 12 volt generator w/ 25 amp output but don't recall the bosch number for it.

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