Possible generator malfunctions (VW Beetle)

Malfunction	Cause	Solution
The battery charging indicator lamp does not light when the ignition is on and the engine is stopped.	The control lamp burned out	Disconnect the ground wire from the battery, replace the bulb, connect the ground wire to the battery
	The circuit between the generator (terminal D+) and the control lamp (terminal 61) is broken	Turn on the ignition and connect the test lamp terminal 61 to ground with a wire. If the lamp lights, repair the open in the wire between the D+ terminal and the test lamp
	The circuit between the generator and the indicator lamp is broken	Disconnect the blue wire (terminal D+) from the generator. Connect it to ground. If the lamp now lights up, replace the wire
	The carbon brushes are worn out	Remove the voltage regulator and replace the carbon brushes
	Open circuit in the excitation winding or short circuit of the diodes	Replace the rotor
	The wire between the generator (terminal D+) and the indicator lamp is shorted to ground	Disconnect the blue wire from the generator and turn on the ignition. If the light comes on, replace the blue wire between the generator and the 8-pin connector. If the lamp does not light, check the generator and voltage regulator
	The wire between the 8-pin connector and the test lamp is shorted to ground	Disconnect the 8-pin connector (TB) and turn on the ignition. If the lamp lights up, replace the wire between the connector and the indicator lamp. If the lamp does not light, replace the central wiring harness
	The voltage regulator is faulty	Check the regulator in a specialized workshop
The starter does not turn when the ignition is turned on	The battery is dead	Charge the battery
	The wire from terminal 50 of the starter to the ignition switch is broken, the starter switch is faulty	Connect terminals 30 and 50 of the starter: the starter should work. Find and fix the break, replace faulty parts
	The wire is broken or there is no contact with the "ground"	Check the wires going to the battery and their connections
	There is no voltage at the terminals of the excitation winding of the electromagnetic starter	Replace the starter
	Too little voltage at terminal 50 of the starter (less than 7 V)	Check the voltage at the ignition switch. If there is no voltage, replace the lock
	There is no voltage at the terminals of the excitation winding of the electromagnetic relay	Replace the relay
The starter turns too slowly and does not start the engine	The battery is dead	Charge the battery
	The engine is filled with the wrong oil (summer in winter)	Fill the engine with winter or all-season oil
	Poor current conductivity due to poor contact of terminals or their oxidation	Clean the battery terminals and clamps, tighten the connections
	The carbon brushes are jammed	Clean the brushes and their holder guides
	The carbon brushes are worn out	Replace the brushes
	The collector is dirty	Clean the manifold
	The manifold has scratches and traces of burning	Replace the manifold
	Defective armature or excitation winding	Repair the starter
The starter works, but the engine does not start	The starter drive does not work or does not work correctly	Replace the drive. If necessary, repair the flywheel ring gear or replace the flywheel
The starter drive does not work	The drive thread is dirty or damaged	Clean the drive and replace if necessary
The starter drive does not work	The magnetic starter is faulty	Replace the starter

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The text has been checked: Kolesnikov Artem

Previous articles
Removal, installation and tensioning the generator drive V-belt
Removal and installation the generator
Generator — design description
Possible battery malfunctions
Checking the battery
Removal and installation the battery

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Possible generator malfunctions (VW Beetle)

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