Pulley of the generator: purpose, installation, repair

The generator is a complex system that includes many details. Like any other nodes, it is prone to breakdowns, which adversely affects the operation of the car.

Causes of breakdowns

The most common cause of the malfunction is the failed pulley of the generator. It is designed to protect the system from vibration and ensure the necessary belt tension. The tension of the belt drive can change even with a minimal deformation of the pulley.

Often the inner part of the pulley begins to wear out, which causes cracks on the fasteners. Simultaneously, there is a backlash, which contributes to the disruption of the clutch and the rupture of the belt itself. Also among the common failures can be identified the following:

• Slippage of the belt;
• Change in general geometry;
• Excessive damage to the central part;
• Curvature of the plane;
• Occurrence of scratches and cracks.

What is the role of the VAZ generator pulley

The operation of the vehicle is associated with a continuous movement of the crankshaft, the work of which can be disturbed even due to minimal fluctuations. The generator pulley provides its protection and reduces the noise that occurs when the belt drive moves. In addition, its function is to reduce the load on the generator, so that it wears out much more slowly even at high speeds. That is why a regular check of the condition of the pulley is so important and helps prevent many car breakdowns and prolong the life of expensive parts.

Course of work

Simultaneously with the pulley, the VAZ generator itself is removed, so it is necessary to show special care when working. Before dismantling the device, remove the drive from the negative terminal and remove the belt. This can be done by loosening the adjusting bolt and unscrewing the upper and lower fasteners of the radiator. Then the generator is shifted directly to the cylinder block. Now it remains only to carefully remove the belt from the pulley and crankshaft.

From the socket of the generator the plug with the conducting is withdrawn, the cap is removed, and the nut is twisted. Then, the wiring is removed, which is the connecting element of the "B" terminal and the contact latch. Also need to get a tension bolt, which is located on the front and is necessary for attaching the generator. The next step is to remove the nut and the bushing equipped with a threaded connection.

The lower mount includes a spacer sleeve and a nut. For further work, it is recommended to use third-party assistance to simplify the removal of the last fastening element located under the generator.

Possible problems

Replacing the pulley of the generator can be significantly complicated by late replacement because of its oxidation, as a result of which it boils to the generator itself. Simplify the task by using a tool with a fine-grained profile. It is recommended to use brake fluid or a special agent to remove corrosion. 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 a different method. To start, the rotor shaft is secured to prevent it from spinning. Then, the nut is removed, on which the belt pulley of the generator and the part to be replaced are held. All work is done using two tools: a hexagon and a face head of a suitable size.

Features

The pulley of the generator, whose price can reach up to 4 thousand rubles, is a fragile enough detail and can therefore become unusable even with minor damage. This is due to the fact that this element is not subjected to hardening during production. Breakage is facilitated by a slight backlash, which appears during the operation of the car. That is why special attention is paid to the reliability of mounting the part during installation. Also during production, microscopic scratches on the surface of the element may occur, which expand during operation and shorten the life of the part.

It is worth noting that the generator pulley can only be repaired if there are minimal damage. After removing the part it must be carefully inspected and pay attention to the state of the generator itself in order to eliminate the breakdowns in a timely manner.

The proper functioning of the pulley has a direct effect on the operation of the battery. In the presence of malfunctions there is a frequent need for charging the battery and a quick failure. Timely repaired or replaced the pulley of the generator, you can change the gear ratio and reduce fuel costs, this is because the part at idling will rotate more slowly than when driving the car.

What you need to know

Car owners often face a slight backlash, which can be corrected by anyone. It is worth noting that the operation of a highly shattered pulley is not possible and it must be replaced. The looseness can be eliminated by means of a 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 protective cover of the element is used only once and for a certain time, recommended by the manufacturer. A new lid should be purchased before the end of life. As noted earlier, the repair and replacement of the pulley does not require special skills and even an inexperienced owner can do. It is recommended that you use a special removable tool that not only speeds up the task, but also simplifies it.

Generator testing

When inspecting the VAZ generator for malfunction and damage, it must first be cleaned of dirt and dust. First of all, it is worth checking the reliability of the brush contact and the output with a tester. It is enough to connect one probe to the terminal, and the other to the brush itself, by setting the ohmmeter mode. Breach of contact is detected by a breakage and high resistance. In this case, solder the connection points of the terminals and brushes.

It is recommended that the contact rings be cleaned with a solvent. Black coating from coal dust appears more intensively in the presence of scratches, depressions or steps on the rings. Unevenness can be removed by grooving the contact elements, which are fixed in the lathe.

It should be noted that zinc chloride can not 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 the reduction of the service life. The best option is the usual rosin.

It will not be superfluous to check and springs. During operation under the influence of high temperatures, their elasticity decreases, which makes it necessary to replace them. To check, just press on the brushes that are visible from under the brush holder.

Russian and foreign generators

The principle of operation of all modern generators is the same and is based on the development of alternating current and the subsequent conversion to constant energy. Each model is equipped with a built-in diode bridge.

The main difference between the generators of domestic and imported production lies in the fact that Russian devices do not have additional rectifiers used to power the winding.