My truck has no power at all even when I have it at all. So I was thinking maybe the solenoid is wired wrong? I tried tapping the solenoid with a screw driver and the batter cable that goes to the alternator bracket was smoking?? its a early 70s 302 I believe. Any ideas or a pic of a solenoid wire would be nice! thanks... Its a 1980.

 

You might have better luck on the 70s board . On the 80s You have a single post. On the 70s you have a two post. I can't remember now how the wiring goes. But if I remember if you switch them nothing happens. But if your smoking from a battery cable you have a short.
Craig

 

I forgot to mention my truck is an 80.

 

The wiring at the solenoid won't change all by itself, it needs help doing that.

Here is a pic from Franklin2's diagrams showing a portion of that wiring:



There are a few more wires at the #3 connection in addition to what you see above, at least one or two of 'em have inline fusible links that can cause your problem if they blow.

The factory didn't install any wires at the alternator bracket, such a wire could be an attempt at creating an additional ground path.

But if it's smoking, that means something is hooked up wrong and there's a short circuit. Hopefully, the alternator and/or regulator haven't been ruined.

You should really get yourself a wiring diagram, pictures aren't enough because of all the variations which depend on configuration & options installed.

 

Where the cable is smoking is a bad connection or a bad cable, take it apart , clean and reinstall.