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Hello, I'm new on forums and not too savvy so excuse the lack of know how. I am working on my 1979 f100 I6, no ac, manual 3 speed. I recently replaced the voltage regulator, battery, alternator and all battery cables to include from the starter to the starter solenoid because the truck is not charging. So with that being said I obviously have other issues. I have tested the components individually and determined they are functioning as they should. I have read that fusible links would cause the no charging issue but am at a loss as to the wiring my truck has. It was my understanding that there should be a fusible link between the alternator and solenoid but seem to have more and dont see visible damage. I would greatly appreciate all the help I can get. I have posted pictures of the wiring...
I'm pretty decent with electrical in these trucks because they are mostly simple. If you don't have a multi-meter, go ahead and get a cheap one at the hardware store or where ever, and get one with a continuity testing function. Then you can check for continuity on both sides of the fusible links. Or if you have some understanding, and the parts laying around, you can make a test light with nothing more than a marker light bulb, socket, and pigtail, off of a junk vehicle.
A meter will also allow you to check for voltage at points where you know the voltage should be.
When my fusible link went in my truck, the truck was idling, and died just as I was reaching for the door handle to get in and drive away... But everything in the truck was dead, so I immediately suspected that the battery had gone stone cold dead. Mine was up by the starter relay/solenoid, where the battery positive cable connects. I think I just have bare wires at the alternator, but I don't think I've ever removed or disconnected my alternator in 5+ years I've had my truck - which has to be some kind of record for me.
This is by memory so may not be 100% accurate when it comes to wire colors: wife and I were leaving a local gun show when the alternator light came on. The truck was still running well, so stopped at a local FLAPS store who tested and said the regulator was out: bought one - no joy. Knew we were running on a draining battery with evening coming and 30 miles to home, so we wound up hitting three stores en route (for their one regulator in stock apiece!) At the last store an older guy who owned a '79 came out and asked if anyone had checked the fusible link? Sure enough, wired around it and all was handled. Anyway, a $7 fusible link (16A, I recall) and a few minutes' work the next day restored everything, and in the year plus since then, has held up fine. I want to say it was between that rectangular connector in your pics and the solenoid on the larger black/brown wire? but that is where my memory is not exact.
