ramair_bryan

Fellas............
It's always ran good. Runs, starts, idles well. That CCC is just cool. Just have to know how to work on them.
Well this alt has me stumped. Noticed the needle slightly discharging, so made it home before it got dark. Remember the screw driver to the rear bearing test? No magnetism. No big. changed out the alt with a rebuilt from autozone. Still no output. (batt say's 11.99).
Noticed the spade fuse inline from the red wire. 30a fuse was good.
What now?
Thanks.
Bryan and karen in calif.

Antz81

Does the warning light function correctly?

There should be two unfused Red wires to the alternator, and both should be live at all times.

Do you have a good ground to the Alternator?

ramair_bryan

Well..........
I have 2 red bolted to each other at the ''hot'' term on the alt. (one has that spade fuse).
Then 2 black ones on the ground bolt on the alt.
I think they run to the starter sil.
Then, 2 that plug in together at there own port on the alt.
Keep going............

Antz81

some has messed with your wiring. You should have one red at the hot terminal, this should run with a ground down the drivers side to the battery. The second red should be in the two pin plug. The other wire in the plug should be brown. Two ground wires sounds right but i would have to check.
the extra red at the hot terminal could be power for something that someone has added.

what about the warning light? On whith ignition but engine not running, off with engine running?

ramair_bryan

Oh, I see what You mean about the warning light.
No warning light on, other than the ECM light for codes.
That one works correctly. Key in run position.
Did just notice the volt meter is not working at all now........
'
Your right about someone messed with the + wire. It Had a stereo
at some point. Must have needed another big wire for it.

Wonder if that spade fuse + wire was added on for it. We've had our 81
since 05. and has worked well. till now.........

Antz81

Connect the brown wire at the altenator to ground. This should turn the warning light on. If not you'll need to replace the lamp, or there could be a break in the brown wire

ramair_bryan

Brown wire at it's plug in? Ok, I'll remove that and ground test.

I was thinking, It's really bad to run an alternator unhooked from the batt. So they say.
However, This engine idles @ 600 rpm very well. What if, as it's running I start removing each wire from the alt (as my volt meter reads right at the alt + and the alt body) and see if it starts charging?
Other wise, this alternator is dead.
Am I thinking in the correct direction?..................

BLUE1972

You should have 13+ (13.6 to 14.5 is normal) volts at the red terminal on the alt with the engine running - if not low output.

BLUE1972

simple charging dia

ramair_bryan

That green wire was good to know. I'm going to trace that one after I get this thing to charge...........
Haven't been out to the barn today. Stuff going on. (mother n law is here. Look sharp you guys)...........

Antz81

The green wire in his dirgram is the brown wire at your alt. When i say to ground it do this with the ignition on, but do not start the engine.
the two red wires should always have voltage present. If you check both with out starting the engine it will quickly tell you if there is a break in a wire somewhere.

ramair_bryan

Well I must have a break in a wire somewhere.
The two wire plug in has no power Key off, or key on.
Plus ....I noticed the head lights don't light up now.........
Maybe that helps for diagnosis.
I need a drink..........

73racevette

Sounds like you may be on your way, but don't trust that Autozone alternator. I have replaced so many aftermarket new out of the box alternators I can't count. I now never use anything but ACDelco and yes I pay double, but I only pay it once.


Check your wiring and after you get all that sorted, and it is still not working, might just be that new alternator.

Antz81

I take it you mean the red wire at the plug?
sounds like you have a fusible link that has gone. On the passwnger side of the engine near the back will be a six wire plug. (3x red 1x blue 1x purple 1x black) all three red wires should have power at all times. If any do not then check by the starter for a blown fusible link.

ramair_bryan

I have power at 1 of the red wires on the passenger side plug that comes together. Had to repair that before. Sounds like that fuse link doesn't it.
I have to get that side off the ground and take a look. They sell link fuses like that at autozoneo? .........
(I just may get to go to castle air museum on may 28th after all)....

ramair_bryan

My lucky day......

At the starter harness, I found a smaller diameter wire that is broken inside. (wiggles like it's not in one piece).

The bad news..........I have that flu that's going around, so I came in with out adding a new wire and went to bed.

Thank god for drugs..........
More info in 24 hrs.

ramair in calif.

Antz81

honey bourbon and blackcurrant juice
it may not cure you, but you'll fell better

ramair_bryan

Rightttttt........

Thats a party you don't want'a see me at..............

Ya know what's been working for me (this is the 4th time in 4 weeks I contacted this bug).

Claritin reditabs.

I put one on the top of my tongue, and it's gone.
Hit's in like 5 mins too. say's 12 hrs, but I been doing 8.
So if you have trouble swallowing a big pill, this is a good choice.

Ok doc's ...........give me the C3 sickness diagnosis. What do you think I have?........

Sluefoot

NOW ya' owe an apology to yer car...not a "Stinking 81"....it's not its fault.....

I can visualize you giving it a bigazz bear (or bare!!) hug when you get it runnin'!!

ramair_bryan

I told it that I like it's tail lights...............

I'm on my way back up already.