Ok here goes, went to start truck about a week ago, had dead battery, jumped it and starter stayed engaged, replaced solenoid switch and now there is no power going to the cab. If i connect the large yellow wire to the positive side of the switch (was not there prior, it was on switched side) i have power and truck will start (checked all f/l and all tested good)
but alt will not charge, took it to autozone to have it checked and it tested good
Any help appreciated

 

I believe you are mistaken. The yellow wire is the hot feed for the whole truck, it has to be on the hot side so it can get battery power all the time.

 

thanks figured that out, but now i think i have to replace the ignition switch, have 13.05v all the way to the switch and nothing after, or is there something else in line that could be causing the no power?

 

Make sure the switch is in the correct position. It has a lot of slop in the mounting holes to adjust it. If you go get a new one(they are cheap) it comes with a pin that you leave in till you get it mounted and tightened down. Then pull the pin out.

 

ok replaced switch, now truck has power and starts, alt still not charging. i read somewhere that there is an "exciter wire" somewhere. I have rebuilt the entire alt harness including new f/l (thinking of taking alt somewhere else to it tested again) any suggestions on "exciter wire"?

 

People have different names for the same thing. I think I know what they are talking about, there is a red/green wire going to the alternator. This comes from a light in the dash, and then the keyswitch. This red/green should have power on it when the key is turned to run to activate the alternator to charge.

What you need to also check is the fusible link in the large output wire or wires. You said you rebuilt the wiring, so I do not know if you took it out or not, but when messing around the alternator with the battery connected, this fusible link can be blown by accidentally getting a wrench against the wiring. With the truck off, you should have 12v on the large output wire or wires. If you don't, that's a problem.