Technical Generator or wiring??

[ddeganutti]

Need some helps folks. My '71 500L had the generator light staying on and I read that it could be as simple as the voltage regulator as the battery was draining rapidly.
I swapped it out and noticed that the generator light now never came on, including start up. Odd, more odd was that the car was firing up without issue etc..

Here's where the problem is: I drove it at night and with lights on. They quickly became less bright and the engine out rev higher when I shut them off (not good for visibility however). As I had to turn them back on, I came to a stop about 15min later and the car literally died. No power anywhere, battery dead. Had to jump it (twice) to get home.

I've trickle charged the battery to full, but nothing turns over?
I may change the regulator back to the old one, but as a newbie, I have no idea what's what and wanted to see.

I'm reading it could be the generator itself or wiring. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[124BC1]

Need some helps folks. My '71 500L had the generator light staying on and I read that it could be as simple as the voltage regulator as the battery was draining rapidly.
I swapped it out and noticed that the generator light now never came on, including start up. Odd, more odd was that the car was firing up without issue etc..

Here's where the problem is: I drove it at night and with lights on. They quickly became less bright and the engine out rev higher when I shut them off (not good for visibility however). As I had to turn them back on, I came to a stop about 15min later and the car literally died. No power anywhere, battery dead. Had to jump it (twice) to get home.

I've trickle charged the battery to full, but nothing turns over?
I may change the regulator back to the old one, but as a newbie, I have no idea what's what and wanted to see.

I'm reading it could be the generator itself or wiring. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

There's a free copy of the classic Fiat 500 Workshop Manual available in the Downloads section at the top of this page. The 'shop manual for the Classic 500 is at the bottom of the page (the others are for the newer 500). In this manual starting @ c. page 112 you'll find all the info you could possibly need on how to check out the generator, the regulator, the wiring etc. Don't forget to check the battery connections/leads including the earth/ground connection to the body. There's also an earth strap in the engine bay connecting the engine to the body that should be checked out iirc? it's connected to the engine sheet-metal cowling.