Generator woes...

I ran into some problems with my generator this week, no juice.

I wired a short wire to the small terminal on the generator giving it 12
volts.
This should let the generator know to start pumping the juice out right?
Nothing. No amps flowing, and the little red light on the dash still on. So
now I know it is my generator and not my control box.

Is my test correct? Is my logic flawed? Thanks

Toby
who isn't thinking straight tonight.
71 Toyota FJ40
69 AH sprite