How to replace the carbon brushes of the generator?

Carbon brushes are essential for the proper functioning of your alternator and therefore in TIGHTENED your car. Before duty completely change the generatorremember to check the coals regularly. Let's find out together everything you need to know about generator carbon brushes: their role, when to replace them, how to change them, and especially their price.

🚗 What is the role of generator carbon brushes?

Usually 2 coals, also known as broomare necessary for the correct operation of the generator. Their role is to establish an electrical circuit by direct friction against the rotor collectors. They supply current to 2 bearings rotor rotating on an axis. The coals convey it electric field to the rotor of the generator when the voltage generated by it is not enough to fully supply the car with electricity or to recharge its battery.

Carbon brushes made of carbon and mounted on a common mounting plate allow contact between two rotating elements. Due to wear and tear, contact can be lost and the generator will not function properly.

🗓️ When should you replace your generator carbon brushes?

The carbon brushes of a generator can wear out due to friction against the manifolds. Ultimately, wear on the carbon brushes can lead to charging problems and irregular electrical stress in your car. Therefore, we advise you to check their condition after 100 kilometer use.

To find out if the generator carbon brushes need to be replaced, you must check their condition. To do this, you must remove the generator, lift the rear cover, then unscrew the charcoal holder located at the back of the generator.

Depending on your vehicle model, it may be necessary to disassemble the alternator.

Signs of carbon wear appear in two ways:

1. The coals are blackened and clogged.
2. Loose coal mesh and no longer have their original form.

If the carbon brushes appear to be worn out, they should be replaced quickly to avoid damaging other parts of your vehicle.

🔧 How to replace the carbon brushes of the generator?

You can change the carbon brushes of the generator yourself, but this task is not available to everyone: only the most experienced and skilled can perform this intervention. It is also important to have specialized and professional tools to carry out this intervention.

If you do not recognize yourself in this description, it is probably best to call one of our trusted mechanics and entrust him with this task.

If you would like to complete this task yourself, here are a few steps to replace your generator carbon brushes:

Required material:

• Tool box containing Phillips screwdriver and torx hex head.
• Soldering iron
• New coals for the generator

Step 1. Disassemble the generator.

The most practical way to replace carbon brushes is to start by taking the alternator apart. You will find all the steps for disassemble generator in our dedicated article.

Step 2: remove the coals

After removing the generator, unscrew the 2 fixing screws, then remove the cover with a Phillips screwdriver.

This way you will see the coals and be able to release them. Note that you will need to unsolder the wires from the generator coals to remove them. Unwelded coals are extremely rare.

Step 3: place new coals

To continue installing new coals instead of old ones, do the same, but in the opposite direction: insert them into the recesses and take a soldering iron. However, be careful when soldering, you must make sure that the connecting wires are well positioned in the center of the spring.

Step 4: assemble the generator

You can reassemble the generator after screwing in the new carbon brushes and cleaning them. Remember to put every part back in place before replacing the generator.

Then you just need to get started and hit the road to recharge your battery!

?? How much does coal for a generator cost?

Generator coals are generally not very expensive. Their price varies depending on their quality and their features depending on the type of your vehicle. However, count between 5 and 30 euros couple.

To replace worn carbon brushes, add to this the operating time, which depends on the car model (From before 1 2 hours).

Now you know all about generator carbon brushes and their importance in maintaining your vehicle. If they are too worn out, do not risk continuing to ride with them, but entrust one of our trusted mechanics to replace the generator coals!