Alternator Wiring

[donnieR32]

For the last two years I've been dealing with an alternator that, well, doesn't work.

Started doing my research and figured out that three wires run from the alternator through the fire wall. The white wire is cut, the red wire goes towards the fuse box, the blue wire turns right and heads somewhere to the right of the passanger foot well.

It is my understanding that the red and blue wires (or whatever two have power) are supposed to be spliced together. Any ideas? I'd hate to cross wires and burn or melt something, but having a brand new alternator that doesn't work and a battery that needs to be on a tender constantly is a real pain.

If needed I can post pictures of the wiring, but without removing the dash I can't exactly find where that red wire goes. Attempted the removal yesterday and turned back when I couldn't remove the steering wheel hub.

[mickmate]

You don't mention the voltage regulator. There are a few tests to easily perform to see if it is the alternator, voltage regulator or the connections.

[donnieR32]

Originally Posted by mickmate

You don't mention the voltage regulator. There are a few tests to easily perform to see if it is the alternator, voltage regulator or the connections.

That's because I originally believed it was an internal regulator, but I may be wrong. According to the manual I should be able to find it in the passenger foot well along the top.

[mickmate]

Yes, when you find it make sure the VR has a good ground wire from it to the motor.

[donnieR32]

Originally Posted by mickmate

Yes, when you find it make sure the VR has a good ground wire from it to the motor.

Will do, thank you.

[donnieR32]

Would this be it?


Also, these are below to the right of the passenger foot well. Not sure what they are.


For what its worth this is a picture of the alternator. As good as I can get without removing it. Those two wires are the same (red, white, blue) pictured above where the red and blue are seen together and the white is cut.

[Archrms]

The second picture (of the right footwell) shows the voltage regulator which is the square metal unit with (blue & white stickers?) on it, with a mutli-plug at the bottom. It should have the letters I-A-S-F stamped into it just above the four multi-plug prongs.

[donnieR32]

Originally Posted by Archrms

The second picture (of the right footwell) shows the voltage regulator which is the square metal unit with (blue & white stickers?) on it, with a mutli-plug at the bottom. It should have the letters I-A-S-F stamped into it just above the four multi-plug prongs.

Great. That's it. So what gets me is I just found out there is no ground wire on the alternator. There is however a wire attached to the manifold at one end and was just dangling behind the alternator. Here are a few pics.



Those three wires off the back of the alternator run through the fire wall. The red one continues to the AMP meter on the dash. The white wire is cut. The blue wire goes in the other direction behind the carpet on the passenger side. I have no idea what was done to this vehicle. At least I'm getting an education.

Here are the three wires coming off the alternator, through the firewall. Not going to the regulator.

[DanEC]

With credit to Bob P. at ERA, here is an excerpt from their owners site that shows the wiring for the alternator and regulator. The ERA uses a charging light on the dash to indicate when the alternator is charging and Contemparary may not have used one. So you may have 3 or 4 wires out of the VR.

Late alternator wiring with dash indicator

[donnieR32]

Originally Posted by DanEC

With credit to Bob P. at ERA, here is an excerpt from their owners site that shows the wiring for the alternator and regulator. The ERA uses a charging light on the dash to indicate when the alternator is charging and Contemparary may not have used one. So you may have 3 or 4 wires out of the VR.

Late alternator wiring with dash indicator

Great, thank you.

[strictlypersonl]

Our PDF troubleshooting guide also contains wiring for the alternator without a warning light.
http://www.erareplicas.com/427man/wiring/wprimer.pdf