Voltage regulator

[Winker]

Could a faulty voltage regulator cause a rubbing or whining noise to come from a generator?

[dougmcp]

Generally not, whining is usually a brush noise and rubbing is bushings.
Bad bushings can also cause a whining noise because they allow the armature to tilt and misalign the brushes.

[Winker]

Thanks for the reply. It turned out to be brushes. The voltage regulator was also blown.

[dougmcp]

Sounds like you found the problem, if it's fixed and running now.....congrats and thanks for posting the solutions so others may learn from your experience.