hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

Guys I am having problems with my 2000 SS. The old alternator wasn't charging, so I replaced it, BUT I tested the old alternator and it is good, it put out 15+v. Continuesly when I got it tested at work(O'reilley). I'm guessing its going to be the excitor wire, and ordered one from work:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...keyword=pt5674

Which wire is the one that I use? Do I just match it with my old one, or are the connectors different? I'm asking because I've been trying to get this car running for some time now and really don't want to mess things up again. PLEASE HELP!

hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

Anybody?

cookba

iTrader: (10)

match it with the old one. make sure you solder the wire to the original wire or have a good crimp and wrap it with electrical tape. also check your grounds. they can get corroded and cause issues too.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

This one is what everyone uses......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LS1-ALTERNAT...r#ht_500wt_715

Use butt connectors. Then shrink wrap. I didn't solder mine. (going on 6 years with my new wire) I wouldn't use electrical tape, that wire takes a beating in the rain, electrical tape won't last as long as shrink wrap. Dodge Chrysler shrink wrappers are the best ones made, they have a glue thats inside them that cools off like apoxy.

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hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

I have another question. I was just out there and I checked the excitor wire, the original one, and there's nothing wrong with the connection. Power steering fluid fell in the connector, can that be the cause of the problem? I sprayed wd40 into the connector and tried cleaning it out with some towels, and got it pretty clean, but that didn't help. For the grounds, are there any grounds for the alternator? I disconnected two ground from that area when I was doing the heaD gaskets, one on the left fender side right next to the radiator, and another one going to the engine on the driver side that appears to be holding onto the oxygen sensor, what are those for?

hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

C'mon guys i really need your help. This car is really starting to **** me off.

cookba

iTrader: (10)

this isnt a help desk. you cant demand answers. figure it out yourself or wait for someone to have free time and care enough to stop and help.

YES PS fluid is corrosive, they have been known to kill altlernators ever since our 4th Gen's came out. clean all connections and it wouldnt hurt to replace that plug anyways as a lot of people loosen up the stock one unknowingly when they replace the alternator. there is a ground strap from the back of the alternator to the chassis on driver side, cant miss it its a strap not a cable. i dont know every little ground, but they are all there for a reason to make sure they are clean and bolt them back up.

hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

My bad, it's just that this car is a PITA! I should've kept my '78 Z28. I Think I put thread lock on one or both of those ground straps, I'll have to check that out tomorrow. I just want to drive this thing already.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

There is no ground strap (nor ground wire) connected directly to the alternator. The ground strap that runs near it goes from the engine to the frame.

I've had alternators that didn't charge properly even when they tested fine on a bench tester. The bench test just can't duplicate the heat that the alternator sees in the engine bay and under continuious use. If the exciter wire is OK, then I would just suspect a faulty alternator.

hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

I just put a brand new, not remanufactured, alternator in there. I didn't feel like pulling that alternator back out, but looks like I'm going to have to. I'm going to check all grounds and see if that helps.

AiDRocks

iTrader: (13)

There is a thread upgrading to a 2003 Tahoe alternator. I went through a handful of alternators too before I upgraded.

1ltcap

before you even do that, did you verify that you have 12v to the alternator when installed?

cookba

iTrader: (10)

good call RPM WS6, thats right the strap goes from the block to the frame.

hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

Is that to the excitor wire?

vikingramair

No, you must have +12 v feed to alt.

hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

Wouln't that be the thick cable going to the back of the alternator? Is there some kind of fuse for the alternator?

Carguy8888

iTrader: (1)

I just had the same problem but a shop replaced the plug for me. I prob did'nt need the altinador.

hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

I just got the plug today. I had to special order it from my job yesterday. I'm hoping to install it tomorrow before or after work and see if that fixes my problem. I'm really hoping that this is all I need, even though my excitor wire looks fine. I wish I would have done this while the alternator is out. I managed to unplug the connection from the top, so I'm going to see if I can replace it from up top as well.

1ltcap

here's a wiring diagram.....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70148615@N03/7147243471/http://www.flickr.com/photos/70148615@N03/7147243471/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/70148615@N03/, on Flickr

the wire from the battery needs to have 12v. without that, the alternator cannot produce amperage, no matter how fast you spin it.
also note that the computer controls the alternator in this application.

check for voltage on that terminal of the alt. if it's not there, it won't charge.

since chevy probably has that cable routed in strange and wondrous ways, use a jumper cable. run it from battery positive to the big cable terminal on the back of the alternator. then take another jumper cable. run it from the alternator housing to a good ground, and see what happens.

also, try this......
1. Disconnect the alternator plug in connector, start the engine and check the voltage on the Red wire for more than 5 volts. If less, check the wiring to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

2. Reconnect the alternator, start the engine and with a test light connected to B+, back probe the Red wire at the alternator plug in connector. If the alternator starts charging, and the Red wire voltage was correct in step 1, the regulator in the alternator is faulty.

sorry it's out of order,.,,,,uits late,m and i'm tired.......hope this helps though...

hcb1700

iTrader: (9)

1ltcap that is just what I was looking for. I really needed that wiring diagram and those tips. I will definitely try those things out and see if that works. Thank you guys for being so patient with me. I'm just trying to get this thing running! I'm about to pull my hair out already!