Visible arcing or burning smell from alternator area
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Immediately shut down the generator, open the main AC breaker, and disconnect the negative battery cable. Do not restart until the fault is corrected.
- Visual inspection: Remove the alternator end cover and inspect for burnt wires, melted insulation, or soot marks.
- Tighten connections: Tighten any loose stator or rotor lead connections.
- Check rectifier/diode pack: Inspect the rectifier assembly for cracked or burnt components. Replace if damaged.
Alternator rewinding or major repairs should be performed by a generator specialist.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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