Alternator (generator) grounding
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Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Kannapolis NC
Alternator (generator) grounding
GM calls it a generator, but I still call it an alternator.
There is a large red wire that goes to the starter and 3 small wires for the sense and ECM connection.
The shop manual shows ground connections going to it, but no wire labels. There aren't black (ground) wires connected to it. There are 2 posts, but no wires. In videos I've watched, I don't see anyone remove a wire.
In my old cars there are 2 power cables to the alternator.
Does this mean that GM decided to use the case and bracket as the ground connection? This would mean that the 2 mounts to the bracket need to be clean to make an electrical connection.
Am I thinking about this right? Am I missing something?
There is a large red wire that goes to the starter and 3 small wires for the sense and ECM connection.
The shop manual shows ground connections going to it, but no wire labels. There aren't black (ground) wires connected to it. There are 2 posts, but no wires. In videos I've watched, I don't see anyone remove a wire.
In my old cars there are 2 power cables to the alternator.
Does this mean that GM decided to use the case and bracket as the ground connection? This would mean that the 2 mounts to the bracket need to be clean to make an electrical connection.
Am I thinking about this right? Am I missing something?
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
GM calls it a generator, but I still call it an alternator.
There is a large red wire that goes to the starter and 3 small wires for the sense and ECM connection.
The shop manual shows ground connections going to it, but no wire labels. There aren't black (ground) wires connected to it. There are 2 posts, but no wires. In videos I've watched, I don't see anyone remove a wire.
In my old cars there are 2 power cables to the alternator.
Does this mean that GM decided to use the case and bracket as the ground connection? This would mean that the 2 mounts to the bracket need to be clean to make an electrical connection.
Am I thinking about this right? Am I missing something?
There is a large red wire that goes to the starter and 3 small wires for the sense and ECM connection.
The shop manual shows ground connections going to it, but no wire labels. There aren't black (ground) wires connected to it. There are 2 posts, but no wires. In videos I've watched, I don't see anyone remove a wire.
In my old cars there are 2 power cables to the alternator.
Does this mean that GM decided to use the case and bracket as the ground connection? This would mean that the 2 mounts to the bracket need to be clean to make an electrical connection.
Am I thinking about this right? Am I missing something?
