michael.warshaw Posted August 16, 2009 Report Posted August 16, 2009 Can you buy a generator for a p15? Or do you have to havr the current one rebvuilt what's the right move? Quote
RobertKB Posted August 16, 2009 Report Posted August 16, 2009 Run some tests to make sure it is the generator or have someone do it for you. Most battery stores will do this for free. If the generator needs work just about any competent auto electric store/repair shop should be able to fix if for you relatively cheaply. They can also be found on ebay at times but then you are just buying another used generator. Best bet is a rebuild or ask them if they can still get you a new or totally remanufactured one as quite often they can. Quote
Captain Neon Posted August 16, 2009 Report Posted August 16, 2009 It may be just a bad regulator. Readily available at just about any auto parts store, and can be replaced by a chimpanzee with Down's Syndrome. I'd try that first before I yanked out the generator and brought it in to be tested/rebuilt. Quote
greg g Posted August 16, 2009 Report Posted August 16, 2009 How do you know??? What are the symptoms of the failure? Have you done any of the basic tests regarding generator output. Could it simply be a loose belt. Is your amp gauge working properly. Do you have a basic understanding of the components and thier operation within the system? Does your mechaic have a basic understanding of the sysem or is he a yank and replace technician? Quote
Captain Neon Posted August 16, 2009 Report Posted August 16, 2009 I have to agree with you, Greg. This mechanic strikes me as a hack that has found any easy mark. Quote
Don Coatney Posted August 16, 2009 Report Posted August 16, 2009 I have to agree with you, Greg. This mechanic strikes me as a hack that has found any easy mark. As I said in an earlier posting answers to these questions just puts money into the mechanics pockets and that is wrong in my mind. Quote
michael.warshaw Posted August 17, 2009 Author Report Posted August 17, 2009 as i said in an earlier posting answers to these questions just puts money into the mechanics pockets and that is wrong in my mind. whats are you saying, im trying to buuild a better car, when people on the forum refer parts people the people who sell parts are making out, that is america! When you call a plumber to your house your paying him not for really his time, its the know how! Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted August 17, 2009 Report Posted August 17, 2009 then pay guy and get over it...find antoher mechanic....OR buy the book, follow the procedures as outline in testing, have the tools and test equipment on hand to execute the test as described...there is little middle ground in the hobby if you are not your own mechanic..you cannot repair anything unless you know what is wrong...that is the first step...even if you are not capable of repair because of time tools or space...at least have the book, understand the system in question and know WHEN the mechanic is full of crap and taking you down the perverbal primerose path... I will admit that if someone owns an old car and does not even know the ins and outs..well when he gets taken for a ride, it is a shame for sure but the pox is on him for allowing it...just reading abouts the ins and outs of the car while discussing the problem woith the shop will alert any mechanic that you are knowledgable and will not be taken for a ride.... These old cars are simple..very simple in comparision, most folks in the old days kept these suckers on the road with a tire patch kit, electrical tape and baling wire...its getting harder to find baling wire... Quote
realgonekatt Posted August 17, 2009 Report Posted August 17, 2009 Dont let the words simple old cars fool you. You may find it easier to locate a mechanic to repair the new plug and play cars than these "simple cars". Ive been an ASE tech for many years and all the young guys like to laugh at your old cars/trucks/motorbikes until they get one to work on then it changes to "Hey man, have you ever seen this?" Check out your voltage regulator and check your brushes. Most of the time that will do it. Dont take it to auto zone to run on there tester they dont even know that cars used to be 6v. Quote
michael.warshaw Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Posted August 18, 2009 makes sense bought the book this morning. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Excellent, you will be very pleased with your purchase I assure you...money well spent...I find reading the manual quite interesting and fun even when there is nothing wrong with your car...picking it up and following a post on this forum while referencing the book will keep you on track and bring you up to speed real quick... Quote
Don Jordan Posted August 19, 2009 Report Posted August 19, 2009 I have found the two (maybe three) hardest people to find is a good doctor and a good mechanic (sometimes a dentist). I took a car in (99 Blazer) to have the head gaskets replaced. The shop was clean and the mechanic didn't speak to me like I was an idiot. I felt that all the stuff he did and all the stuff he replaced was legitimate. There comes a point when we have to realize we can't do everything. I don't think I'm ever going to be a professional NASCAR driver - so I leave that to the pros. I sort of got off track. Speaking of the generator. When I got my P 15 it had been sitting out in a field in the desert for 20 years. I didn't even check to see if the generator was any good - I just took it in and had it rebuilt. Now I know the history of it and it gives me piece of mind. I did the same thing with the starter. It costs a couple bucks but it's worth it to know what you've got. This, of course, is just my 2 cents. Quote
RobertKB Posted August 19, 2009 Report Posted August 19, 2009 I sort of got off track. Speaking of the generator. When I got my P 15 it had been sitting out in a field in the desert for 20 years. I didn't even check to see if the generator was any good - I just took it in and had it rebuilt. Now I know the history of it and it gives me piece of mind. I did the same thing with the starter. It costs a couple bucks but it's worth it to know what you've got.This, of course, is just my 2 cents. Excellent advice! Every starter and generator in my three flatties have all been in to an auto electrical shop where I live. I usually take them there after inspecting them first myself but I never feel really comfortable working on them. Sometimes they just replace brushes, sometimes bushings, sometimes nothing as they say it is in great shape. I then know what I have. Quote
TodFitch Posted August 19, 2009 Report Posted August 19, 2009 ...snip... Of course' date=' that dealer has never seen us, or her car since.So........if you don't know any better, you can get screwed around at "some" places. ...snip...[/quote'] Reminds me of a time at a VW dealer in Baltimore in the 1970s. I had asked for them to check things over on a new to me old beetle and among the things I ask for was a compression test. The compression test numbers were good (high and even on all cylinders). Then they went on to tell me that I had a bad valve and needed to rebuild/replace one of the heads. When I asked how the valve could be bad if the compression was good the response was "Oh, you know about cars." Those were the exact words.... Quote
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