From Generator to Alternator?

[thechadzone]

Hi Y'all, I'm trying to help my mechanic help my car:

My '69 AS Spider came back from the shop with its alternator light on the other day, so I drove it back the next day. My mechanic apologized, and said it was likely his doing while he was replacing the timing belt... He said he'd fix it.

It turned out to be a major pain in his ass, as the alternator has tested 'good', as has the voltage regulator. My car has a 1980 two liter motor in it, but my mechanic mentioned that my car originally had a generator instead of an alternator to charge its battery. Is this true? My mechanic is quite competent, but doesn't see a lot of Fiats...

Do any of you have any hints that I might pass along to this guy?

Thanks as always for the help from this board! -Chad

[stefhahn]

Chad,
yes, the very first series of AS had a generator/dynamo - as well as the old style dashboard without lower/middle console and the 1500 gearbox. Your 69 should have had an alternator already - especially in conjunction with a 2.0 engine. But: the early style alternators have an external voltage regulator - but are told to be exchangeable with the later style ones w/ the internal.
To me all this sounds as if the voltage regulator is kaputt - you car should be running fine with a functioning alternator.
ciao,
Stefan

[So Cal Mark]

the early cars had a relay that operated the warning light and I've never seen any Spider with a generator.

[mdrburchette]

And also, there is a fuse in the fuse box for the regulator. Does the light go out when you rev the engine? I can't see anything that replacing the timing belt would have to do with this except the alt belt.

[stefhahn]

Hi -
check with Eddie from Protugal, he's got a '67 and claims that this one is dynamo-powered - see http://www.sportspider.co.uk/phpBB2/sea ... r=eddie124 and http://www.livejournal.com/users/fiat124sport/ - I am not sure when they changed to alternator.
ciao,
Stefan