Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Alternator Issues, Any Suggestions?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-18-2015, 09:59 AM
  #1  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
YellowTA1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lindale, Texas
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Alternator Issues, Any Suggestions?

I have an '02 WS6, A4, my alternator crapped out, so I changed it out with a new 145-amp one. The wires that go into the pigtail broke, buddy of mine who helped me change it out said I only needed the red wire so he put it together. I drove the car yesterday, voltmeter was still low in the red, then all the gauges went dead, radio shut off, and all the warning lights came on like I had just turned the key on. Do I need the other wires plugged into the pigtail connector? Also, someone said I needed to replace the belt, but the one I have seems to fit correctly, any ideas of why I am having issues after changing the alternator out?
Old 05-18-2015, 10:26 AM
  #2  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
blackandgold's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 1,389
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts

Default

Did you swap in a new weatherpack(pigtail) or hack the old one back together?
Old 05-18-2015, 10:42 AM
  #3  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
YellowTA1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lindale, Texas
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by blackandgold
Did you swap in a new weatherpack(pigtail) or hack the old one back together?
he put the red wire back in the old one, so I guess you could say it was hacked back together.....
Old 05-19-2015, 08:42 AM
  #4  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
YellowTA1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lindale, Texas
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

got my new connector, gonna get all 4 wires back in today and hope that solves my issue. does anyone have what order and color the wires go to the 4 leads from the new connector so I connect them correctly where they are supposed to go?
Old 05-19-2015, 10:00 AM
  #5  
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
Darth_V8r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: My own internal universe
Posts: 10,446
Received 1,836 Likes on 1,145 Posts
Default

Mine only has the red wire. I added length to that wire, cause I got sick of breaking it.
Old 05-19-2015, 10:20 AM
  #6  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
YellowTA1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lindale, Texas
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Darth_V8r
Mine only has the red wire. I added length to that wire, cause I got sick of breaking it.
what year is yours? mine is an '02. were they different in different years?
Old 05-19-2015, 10:36 AM
  #7  
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
an-i-no's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by YellowTA1
what year is yours? mine is an '02. were they different in different years?
You only need to connect the red wire into port "B" on the plug. If you kept your old connector you can look at it to see which one had the wire in it. If not, then the new plug may literally have "A,B,C,D" on each of the ports. The other three wires you can cap off or cut (just make sure there is no bare electrical connections. I chose NOT to cut the wires, but instead wrap them up individually with electrical tape, then zip tie them together) because our PCM doesn't need them.

I ran into this issue the other week when I tried to get fancy and do motor mounts without unplugging the alt lol
Old 05-19-2015, 11:00 AM
  #8  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
YellowTA1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lindale, Texas
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by an-i-no
You only need to connect the red wire into port "B" on the plug. If you kept your old connector you can look at it to see which one had the wire in it. If not, then the new plug may literally have "A,B,C,D" on each of the ports. The other three wires you can cap off or cut (just make sure there is no bare electrical connections. I chose NOT to cut the wires, but instead wrap them up individually with electrical tape, then zip tie them together) because our PCM doesn't need them.

I ran into this issue the other week when I tried to get fancy and do motor mounts without unplugging the alt lol

I don't know, so that's why I'm asking....I was told you need the 4 wires connected because the alternator needs to be excited in order to charge. So yes, you need to wire all of them back in to the connector....
Old 05-19-2015, 12:05 PM
  #9  
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
an-i-no's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by YellowTA1
I don't know, so that's why I'm asking....I was told you need the 4 wires connected because the alternator needs to be excited in order to charge. So yes, you need to wire all of them back in to the connector....
Our cars only need the one red exciter wire that was originally connected. The other three are not necessary. I can take a picture of how mine is now and show you if you want? I just have the one wire from terminal B connected to the end of the red wire (that broke off) and the rest taped off and unused. My car charges just like it did before i broke the wire.
Old 05-19-2015, 06:15 PM
  #10  
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
Darth_V8r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: My own internal universe
Posts: 10,446
Received 1,836 Likes on 1,145 Posts
Default

To answer your question, no difference in years 98-02 f body alternator wiring to my knowledge
Old 05-20-2015, 04:40 AM
  #11  
12 Second Club
iTrader: (48)
 
quiet_storm98's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,017
Received 20 Likes on 19 Posts

Default

Like the others have said you just need one wire in the "B" port, if you look at your factory connectir it only uses one wire in that location. You can just cut the other three off, that's what i did years ago on my old car
Old 05-20-2015, 08:32 PM
  #12  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (88)
 
Burken01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Anaheim, Ca
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts

Default

It's because it's a universal connector you must of purchased from the dealer.. The OEM Delphi has just one wire..

The white/tan color connector you get from some gm dealers have all 4 wires, just use the one for your application and delete the others
Old 05-21-2015, 09:26 AM
  #13  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (10)
 
YellowTA1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lindale, Texas
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

well, I got everything hooked back up....battery is still not charging....used a test light at the battery, it's good there, and at the alternator, it's good there....i even picked up a new alternator and had them test it before I left with it....any ideas??
Old 05-21-2015, 10:05 AM
  #14  
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
Darth_V8r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: My own internal universe
Posts: 10,446
Received 1,836 Likes on 1,145 Posts
Default

The alternator might not be grounding. The circuit has to be complete. Sand a shiney spot on all the mount points on the alternator and brackets. Double check your engine to chassis ground straps.



Quick Reply: Alternator Issues, Any Suggestions?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:54 AM.