The generator provides voltage that operates the electrical system of the vehicle and that also charges the battery and the secondary battery, if equipped. A magnetic field is created when current flows through the rotor. The field rotates as the rotor is driven by the engine, creating an AC voltage in the stator windings. The rectifier bridge converts the AC voltage to DC and this goes to the electrical system at the terminal to the battery.

The digital regulator of the generator uses digital techniques in order to supply the rotor current. Because of this, the digital regulator controls the output voltage. The rotor current is proportional to the width of the electrical pulses supplied from the electrical system through the RED (2) wire.

When the ignition switch is in RUN or START, voltage is applied from the GAUGES fuse through the PNK (39) wire to the digital regulator. This turns on the digital regulator. Narrow width pulses go to the digital rotor circuit. This creates a weak magnetic field. When the engine starts, the digital regulator senses the rotation of the generator by detecting AC voltage at the stator through an internal wire. Once the engine is running, the digital regulator varies the field current by controlling the pulse width. This regulates the output voltage of the generator for proper charging of the battery and operation of the electrical system.