The invention provides an alternating-current brushless generator fault detection method based on an exciter exciting current. The method comprises the following steps: firstly, measuring the direct-current component and each subharmonic amplitude value of the exciter exciting current of a generator set; and then, detecting whether the generator set generates electrical failures or not with a stator winding turn-to-turn short circuit diagnosis algorithm, a rotor winding turn-to-turn short circuit diagnosis algorithm, an exciter fault diagnosis algorithm and a rotary rectifier fault diagnosis algorithm, wherein the electrical failures comprise stator winding turn-to-turn short circuit, rotor winding turn-to-turn short circuit, exciter rotor winding turn-to-turn short circuit, exciter rotor winding interphase short circuit, open circuit of one diode of the rotary rectifier and short circuit of one diode of the rotary rectifier. According to the LabView development fault diagnosis algorithm, various electrical faults can be detected by measuring the exciter exciting current so as to save measurement points, and various invasive sensors do not need to be installed in the generator. The alternating-current brushless generator fault detection method has good instantaneity, and the on-line detection requirement can be satisfied.