Alternator Wiring - Need Help

[Norm K]

Removed alternator and took the requisite digital pics so I wouldn't forget how to hook everything back up then, like the idiot I often am, subsequently nuked the images.

My recollection is that the brown wires were all together on a single post, next to where the small yellow wire comes out of the housing, the blue wire immediately to the left of the brown one (looking from the top as I disconnected things), where the blue wire comes out of the case, and the large red wire was on the bottom left. My memory is confirmed by photos I found by doing a search.

The problem is that the post adjacent to where the yellow wire exits the case is too large for the brown wire connectors to slip over. Only the large red wire has a connector large enough to fit over this post. In spite of this, I'm very reluctant put the red wire on this post and bolt everything together because both my memory and images here on Pelican say that's not right.

This ain't know single-wire GM alternator like the one on my GTO so I sure could use some help.

Thanks!

[Midlife930]

I have done this a few times, bad alternator, twice (as a result of a faulty kill switch which is now gone) and then for engine rebuild. Post size is the key, hot wires on the diode and ground on the housing.

I know not single wire .....

Dave

[mark houghton]

Just so happens that I did my alternator a few weeks ago. Here are the picts I took prior to taking it apart. Not the best, but may point you in the right direction.

[Norm K]

That's exactly as I remember it, and what I've seen in other posts. Problem is, the post for the brown wires (on the right of the photo) is too large for the wire connector to slip over.

Of course I went ahead and hooked everything up based on post size; when I started the car, as I feared would be the case, the alternator light remained on.

This alternator design is clever - right up to the point where all you want or need to do is check the connections. Then it's a b!tch!

[T77911S]

just had mine out. all the wire terminals were sized for the posts

[turbo owner]

Originally Posted by nkowi

That's exactly as I remember it, and what I've seen in other posts. Problem is, the post for the brown wires (on the right of the photo) is too large for the wire connector to slip over.

Of course I went ahead and hooked everything up based on post size; when I started the car, as I feared would be the case, the alternator light remained on.

This alternator design is clever - right up to the point where all you want or need to do is check the connections. Then it's a b!tch!

I put a new voltage regulator in my car and had the same problem with the light.

Your voltage regulator may need to be energized