CS alternator wiring
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,452
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
CS alternator wiring
everything is going pretty good on getting the rebuilt engine up and running. i'm getting the bugs sorted out but the one thing i haven't been able to figure yet is what's going on with the charging system. which wire is the ignition wire to the alternator to energize the field?
since i pulled all the computer stuff and much of the related wiring harness out of the car post computer, i must have also disconnected the alt's input signal. i may have to trace it and make one up.
since i pulled all the computer stuff and much of the related wiring harness out of the car post computer, i must have also disconnected the alt's input signal. i may have to trace it and make one up.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
The sense wire, which tells the alt to charge, is either a white or brown wire. It comes from the dash harness, and usually from the GEN light. That GEN bulb has to be inline or the alt won't charge.
Now, that wire is basically a switched 12V wire so technically you can just tap into the wiper motor's yellow wire. I'm pretty sure there has to be a certain amount of resistance in that wire though so make sure a resistor or light bulb is between the alt and the source.
Now, that wire is basically a switched 12V wire so technically you can just tap into the wiper motor's yellow wire. I'm pretty sure there has to be a certain amount of resistance in that wire though so make sure a resistor or light bulb is between the alt and the source.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: STANTON CA
The sense wire, which tells the alt to charge, is either a white or brown wire. It comes from the dash harness, and usually from the GEN light. That GEN bulb has to be inline or the alt won't charge.
Now, that wire is basically a switched 12V wire so technically you can just tap into the wiper motor's yellow wire. I'm pretty sure there has to be a certain amount of resistance in that wire though so make sure a resistor or light bulb is between the alt and the source.
Now, that wire is basically a switched 12V wire so technically you can just tap into the wiper motor's yellow wire. I'm pretty sure there has to be a certain amount of resistance in that wire though so make sure a resistor or light bulb is between the alt and the source.
thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
When I first did my CS130 swap, I was right in the middle of having my interior out of the car. This included the center gauge cluster.
When I finished the alternator swap I started the car, and tested the alt with a multi meter. I got just a hair over 12V which was the battery's charge.
I connected the center gauge cluster, which is where the GEN light is and where that brown / white wire originates from. Once in place, the alternator was producing just under 15V.
So to answer your question...without that sense wire...the alt doesn't know to charge.
