General Maintenance & Repairs - alternator question....whats the wire plugged into the back.

Its the one that plugs in, not the one that bolts on.

Its tiny like a human hair.

It broke.

Is that whats causing the alternator to NOT charge the battery?

Thanks.

Thats the exciter wire. Thats one dedicated wire that goes straight from the alt to the engine computer.
It sends the signal to start the alt charging, so yes, that sounds like your problem.

Thats the exciter wire. Thats one dedicated wire that goes straight from the alt to the engine computer.
It sends the signal to start the alt charging, so yes, that sounds like your problem.

Well, I spliced each end of the wires, twisted them together and used crimpers and then the shrink wrap with heat. It still isn't charging.

Do I need to get an entire new wire from PCM to alternator, or can the whole splicing thing work?

Well, I spliced each end of the wires, twisted them together and used crimpers and then the shrink wrap with heat. It still isn't charging.

Do I need to get an entire new wire from PCM to alternator, or can the whole splicing thing work?

Splicing the wire should be ok.
Theres a trouble shooting guide around somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

Heres the troubleshooting guide. (http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic8959.php)
I'd first check voltage at this wire.
If it has the specified voltage, the alternator might be bad.
If it doesn't, you need to find the pinout at the engine computer and ohm the wire out.
If it ohms out ok and it's not getting voltage, according to the guide here, the engine computer is bad.

Splicing the wire should be ok.
Theres a trouble shooting guide around somewhere. I'll see if I can find it.

Heres the troubleshooting guide. (http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic8959.php)
I'd first check voltage at this wire.
If it has the specified voltage, the alternator might be bad.
If it doesn't, you need to find the pinout at the engine computer and ohm the wire out.
If it ohms out ok and it's not getting voltage, according to the guide here, the engine computer is bad.

Thanks alot, I'll have to have my friend who's a Pontiac Technician come over and do all that stuff, he's got all the tools and the OBDII scanner.

I have a new alternator, maybe I should toss it in real fast to see if thats the porblem......maybe I broke the wire taking the alternator out last night. I think I fixed the wire pretty good. Its a tiny wire.

Also, I never got an SES light. Should I have gotten an SES light if that wire broke while driving?

I was having weak starts for the past 4-5 days too, maybe the alternator was failing.

Thanks again.

Also, I never got an SES light. Should I have gotten an SES light if that wire broke while driving?

Thanks again.

No, the only reason I did all the tests is because the DTC showed up while scanning with HPTuners.
The DTC is always there on start up and it never turns the light on.

My car charges properly.

I found during hours of searching here that some people have this code pop up a lot but it never effects anything.
That link says the voltage to that wire should be 10volts, mine is 9.89. I'm assuming this is why I get the code.

No, the only reason I did all the tests is because the DTC showed up while scanning with HPTuners.
The DTC is always there on start up and it never turns the light on.

My car charges properly.

I found during hours of searching here that some people have this code pop up a lot but it never effects anything.
That link says the voltage to that wire should be 10volts, mine is 9.89. I'm assuming this is why I get the code.

I think I'm back in business. :D

Put the new alternator on, connected the battery, started the car and let it idle.....then disconnected the battery and the engine stayed on so the new alternator is rocking. When I did that with the old alternator first, the engine immediately stalled when I took the negative wire off.

So, I guess when I was taking the old alternator out last night I broke the wire.

Taking the core back to Pep Boys now for a 30 minute ride.

But hey :chug: THANKS for the help and the link to the troubleshooting page.

Yup, just cruised all over the place, about 60 miles worth, its fixed! Stopped and started it 5 times and raced one of those cheezy ass '07 Cobras, and he got hammered good!

Glad thats all it was, I would hate to deal with an electrical issue.