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1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Mystery wire

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Old Dec 5, 2019 | 12:11 PM
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Mystery wire

I have a problem with batteries running down. I have yet to determine if my alternator is working.

I have this mystery wire which became broken. Originally it was green with a stripe. When the van is off it has zero volts. When the van is running it reads slightly less voltage than the battery.




To start the truck two thick cables must be attached from the battery










 
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Old Dec 5, 2019 | 12:15 PM
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I believe this is the main connection between the alternator and the battery.

I removed the cable and started the truck. The cable reads zero volts. Does this prove my alternator is dead?
 
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Old Dec 5, 2019 | 12:41 PM
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What are you working on, from the pics, I'd guess a van. That wire could be the trigger wire to start the alternator charging. See if you can trace it back to the alternator. On a F series the wire plugs into the top of the alternator next to a 2 wire plug.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2019 | 07:44 PM
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Thanks. What you are saying sounds accurate.

One side is connected to the alternator. What should the other end connect to?
 
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