The generator is a complex system that includes many parts. Like any other components, it is prone to breakdowns, which negatively affects the operation of the car.
Causes of breakdowns
The most common cause of a malfunction is a defective alternator pulley. It is designed to protect the system from vibration and provide the necessary belt tension. Belt drive tension can change even with minimal pulley deformation.
Often, the inner part of the pulley begins to wear out, which causes cracks in the fasteners. At the same time, a backlash occurs, which contributes to the disruption of the coupling and the rupture of the belt itself. Among the common breakdowns, the following can be distinguished:
- belt slippage;
- change in general geometry;
- excessive damage to the central part;
- curvature of the plane;
- occurrence of scratches and cracks.
What role does the VAZ pulley play
The operation of the car is associated with the continuous movement of the crankshaft, the operation of which may be impaired even due to minimal fluctuations. The alternator pulley protects it and reduces the noise that occurs when the belt drive moves. In addition, its function includes reducing the load on the generator, so that it wears out much more slowly even at high speeds. That is why regular checking of the pulley condition is so important and helps to prevent many car breakdowns and extend the life of expensive parts.
Progress
At the same time as the pulley, the VAZ generator itself is removed, so it is necessary to be especially careful when working. Before dismantling the device, remove the drive from the negative terminal and remove the belt. This can be done by loosening the adjustment bolt and unscrewing the upper and lower radiator mounts. Next, the generator is shifted directly to the cylinder block. Now it remains only to carefully remove the belt from the pulley and crankshaft.
The plug with the wiring is removed from the generator connector, the cap is removed, and the nut is unscrewed. Then the wiring is removed, which is the connecting element of the “B” terminal and the contact latch. You also need to get the tension bolt, which is located on the front and is necessary for mounting the generator. The next step is to remove the nut and sleeve equipped with a threaded connection.
The bottom mount includes a spacer sleeve and nut. For further work, it is recommended to use third-party assistance to simplify the removal of the last fastener located under the generator.
Possible problems
Replacing a pulley of a generator can be significantly complicated with an untimely replacement due to its oxidation, as a result of which it sticks to the generator itself. To simplify the task, you can use the tool with a fine-cut profile. To remove corrosion, it is recommended to use brake fluid or a special tool. It is enough to apply a small amount of the composition before removing the damaged element.
In the absence of a special key, you will have to use another method. To begin with, the rotor shaft is fixed to prevent its rotation. Next, remove the nut on which the alternator belt pulley and the part itself to be replaced are held. All work is done using two tools: a hexagon and a socket head of a suitable size.
Features
The pulley of the generator, the price of which can reach up to 4 thousand rubles, is a rather fragile detail and therefore can become unusable even with minor damage. This is due to the fact that this element is not subjected to hardening during production. A small backlash that appears during the operation of the car also contributes to breakdown. That is why special attention is paid to the reliability of the fasteners during installation. Also during production, microscopic scratches may appear on the surface of the element, which expand during operation and shorten the life of the part.
It should be noted that the generator pulley can only be repaired if there is minimal damage. After removing the part, it is necessary to carefully inspect it and pay attention to the state of the generator itself in order to timely eliminate the breakdowns.
Proper pulley operation has a direct effect on battery performance. In the presence of malfunctions, there is a frequent need for charging the battery and a quick failure. By timely repairing or replacing the alternator pulley, you can change the gear ratio and reduce fuel costs, this is because the part will rotate more slowly when idling than when the car is moving.
What you need to know
Car owners often come across a small backlash, which anyone can fix. It is worth noting that the operation of a strongly shaken pulley is impossible and it must be replaced. Backlash can be eliminated due to more tight connection of the generator and fixing bolts. It is recommended to inspect the surface of the part; if small cracks are found, they must be sealed.
The element's protective cover is used only once and for a certain time recommended by the manufacturer. A new cover should be purchased before the end of its life. As noted earlier, repair and replacement of a pulley does not require special skills and even an inexperienced owner can do it. It is recommended that you use a special removable tool that will not only speed up the task, but also simplify it.
Generator check
Inspecting the VAZ generator for malfunctions and damage, it must first be cleaned of dirt and dust. To begin with, it is worth making sure of the reliability of the brush contact and the output with the help of a tester. It is enough to connect one probe to the terminal, and the other to the brush itself, setting the ohmmeter mode. Disruption of contact is detected by a cliff and high resistance. In this case, it is necessary to solder the connection points of the terminals and brushes.
It is recommended that the contact rings be cleaned with a solvent. Black plaque from coal dust appears more intensely in the presence of scratches, grooves or steps on the rings. Irregularities can be removed by grooving the contact elements that are fixed in the lathe.
It is worth noting that zinc chloride cannot be used for soldering. It is not suitable for repairing any elements of electrical equipment, as it contributes to the intensive development of corrosion and a decrease in the service life. The best option is the usual rosin.
There will be no superfluous check and springs. During operation, under the influence of high temperatures, their elasticity decreases, which necessitates their replacement. To check, just press on the brushes that are visible from under the brush holder.
Russian and import generators
The principle of operation of all modern generators is the same and is based on the generation of alternating current and subsequent conversion to constant energy. Each model is equipped with a built-in diode bridge.
The main difference between domestic and imported generators is the lack of additional rectifiers in Russian devices used to power the winding.