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donnieR32 09-03-2014 11:29 AM
Alternator Wiring
 
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 09-03-2014 08:03 PM
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 09-04-2014 07:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mickmate (Post 1317325)
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 09-04-2014 07:46 PM
Yes, when you find it make sure the VR has a good ground wire from it to the motor.

donnieR32 09-05-2014 08:48 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mickmate (Post 1317470)
Yes, when you find it make sure the VR has a good ground wire from it to the motor.
Will do, thank you.

donnieR32 09-05-2014 09:03 AM
Would this be it?
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...pscj8d529y.jpg

Also, these are below to the right of the passenger foot well. Not sure what they are.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...psraqt2ztd.jpg

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.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfekbn13u.jpg

Archrms 09-05-2014 12:04 PM
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 09-05-2014 01:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Archrms (Post 1317531)
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.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...psninsuagg.jpg

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.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...psdchgdnmx.jpg

DanEC 09-05-2014 05:15 PM
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 09-06-2014 06:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanEC (Post 1317560)
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 09-06-2014 07:06 AM
Our PDF troubleshooting guide also contains wiring for the alternator without a warning light.
http://www.erareplicas.com/427man/wiring/wprimer.pdf


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