Alternator saga continues...

TerryBPP · 11-03-2003, 05:44 AM

Ok, I found the VR and here is how it is setup. Now All I need to know is how do I bypass it. Do I just unplug it or do I have to tap into other wires. Obviously I just cut the black wire, but what do I do to the brown (D-)? Also what should I do with the blue wire going from the plug to the fuse?

304065 · 11-03-2003, 06:45 AM

I am not telling you ANYTHING until you tell me where the hell the voltage regulator was!

targa80 · targa80's Garage

Inquiring minds want to know!

TerryBPP · 11-03-2003, 07:41 AM

It was mounted behind the aluminum plate that hold the ignition stuff, the opposite side of its stock loctaion. Not sure why the PO did that, ther was plenty of room on the front side. It was a little stainless box mounted flat. I have to thank EarlySman for telling me to take the plate off. Without doing that I would have never found.

304065 · 11-03-2003, 07:57 AM

Unplug it.

Refer back to the original thread where I posted the wiring diagram. The wires go up to the plug, and then right back out again. That's the easiest way to go. Cut the black wire. You should be good to go.

Don't forget to check the blue wire circuit by grounding the blue wire against the engine case (only for a second) to make sure the warning light comes on.

TerryBPP · 11-03-2003, 09:32 AM

So the brown wire that goes into the plug just stays in the plug. Do I unplug it from the VR?

TerryBPP · 11-04-2003, 11:32 AM

Alright, I clipped the black wire and unplugged the VR. The light is still on but dimmer and the voltage has gone up from 9.0 to 11.6. Do I need to rev it up for a period of time for the light to go out completely?

304065 · 11-04-2003, 11:38 AM

Time for a step by step approach.

1. Charge the battery for 24 hours on the 2 amp setting with an external charger. The alternator will overheat trying to bring it back from 9.0 volts.

2. 11.6 volts is NOT proper charging output from the alternator. When your alternator is working correctly it should put out 14 volts. This is why the light is glowing dimly-- there's still too much current being supplied by the battery vs. the alternator. Remember, when the alternator is doing its thing, the current flow stops and the light goes all the way out.

3. If the alternator is not putting out enough output, you could have oxidized connections somewhere. Have you checked the ground strap under the car? Have you cleaned the silver pins in the 14-pin connector with alcohol on a q-tip?

A high resistance caused by oxidation will result in a voltage drop!

But good, you are FINALLY getting somewhere, and someday YOU will be advising people with this same problem! (There are a lot of them, have you noticed?)

PERSEVERE!

Early_S_Man · 11-04-2003, 12:01 PM

Terry,

You have made a couple of big steps in the right direction, but yo have a ways to go yet!

I see a BIG PROBLEM in the diagram you posted!!! The Blue wire to the fuse block is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! Your car's P.O. was 'looney tunes' -- to say the least! But, then, you already knew that from your VR wild goose chase, right? The Blue wire to the alternator, which I assume [maybe a BIG mistake] still goes through the 14-pin connector to the engine wiring harness ... needs to connect to the Blue wire coming from the warning lamp holder!

To disable your Voltage regulator ... just unplug it, and put it away in your shop in a safe place! No wires have to be cut on a post-73 car with the plug-type regulator!