Will Bad brushes effect generator portion?

[jackhandy]

So my starter generator I think is bad. I measured the voltage at the battery with the red and green wires connected directly to the battery and it did not increase the voltage what so ever. I previously thought that my voltage regulator had gone bad but after replacing it a few times I figured out it was more likely my starter/generator. On a fully charged battery it starts fine but does not charge while riding it and eventually will not start. My question is could this be fixed by replacing the brushes in the starter/generator or do I just need to buy a new starter/generator? AKA is it possible to have worn out brushes that prevent the generator portion but still allow the starting portion? thanks guys.

[cgtech]

it would affect both. but it would affect starting first.

[bigstik40]

Originally Posted by jackhandy

So my starter generator I think is bad. I measured the voltage at the battery with the red and green wires connected directly to the battery and it did not increase the voltage what so ever

Red white wire goes to +12 V and green wire goes to ground (momentarily) for testing. Should put out 16-17 volts if S/G is ok. Maybe need a regulator. RAY

[Mike Mac]

It's never a bad idea to put brushes in the starter/generator!! They wear out a whole lot sooner than you think!! That's my opinion anyway!!

[jackhandy]

Yes I put the green to the negative terminal and the red to the positive terminal and it did not change voltage what so ever. So I figured that the generator portion of the starter generator was bad. Is it common for the generator portion of these to go bad?

[jackhandy]

When you say green wire goes to ground do you mean the negative terminal on the battery or is there a different way I should be grounding it?

[bigstik40]

Originally Posted by jackhandy

When you say green wire goes to ground do you mean the negative terminal on the battery or is there a different way I should be grounding it?

Actually no need to do anything with the red wire as it is normally connected to +12 v. The green can go to chassis or battery neg. momentarily. The green and red wires of the starter/generator are connected internally to the field winding for charging. The test actually applies full field current causing max. voltage output. An open field = no charging. You can check the field by attaching an ohmmeter to the red and green of the st/gen. (Either the red or green should be disconnected to test). Ohm value would be low in 5 ohm range I think.

[jackhandy]

When I test with the ohmmeter it seems as there is no resistance present. I unplugged both red and green and tested them at the starter/generator. It goes from 1 to -1 the same as when I touch the two probes together.

[cgtech]

bad charge coil in starter/generator

[jackhandy]

Is there a way to replace the charge coil or is it best to buy a new stater generator?