Slow . . Rider,
I learn't that any time you disconnect the generator or battery (or the voltage regulator) you should polarize the system. When in doubt, jumper the Batt terminal to the Gen terminals on the voltage regulator - a spark will fly.
Of course, the good old boys that taught me are backed up by every shop manual that I've seen.
This might not be the answer to the problem you describe, but it will keep your generator from getting mixed up thinking it is sometimes a generator (when the engine is runnig) and sometimes it should try to spin as a motor (when the engine is not running).
Yes, I know there can be a residual polarization for a certain period of time, but why take a chance?
Curmudgeon
