Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Alternator issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 16, 2024 | 09:12 PM
  #16  
Kashdon's Avatar
Kashdon
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
One of the wires going to the connection on the side where there is 4 wires is also red and green and had around 12v so I decided to cut that wire and splice it on the other side of the connection to the other red and green wire just to try and get 12 v to the alt to see if that’s the problem. So I cut the wire, tested it after I cut it and it was still reading around 12 volts then the second I connected it to the green/red wire on the other side of the connection it dropped to 3.3, I have no idea, any ideas?
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 06:27 AM
  #17  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
The Light Green/Red wire starts at the ignition switch. Near there is a splice that feeds a few different circuits including the alternator exciter circuit. If you have multiple wires spliced in the engine compartment as you state, I would suspect someone before you has modified the factory wiring. Again, this is where a Ford EVTM manual comes in very handy. From this side of the internet I can only speculate what you are seeing and trying to redo.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 08:23 AM
  #18  
Kashdon's Avatar
Kashdon
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
Ok I don’t really have one of those manuals but I’ll take a picture of the connection but what would cause a wire to have 12 v then when it gets connected to another wire for that to change to 3 v?
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 09:03 AM
  #19  
Hit Man X's Avatar
Hit Man X
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,553
Likes: 2,034
From: North Texas
Corrosion. Loose crimp. Crushed wire with maybe one strand trying to flow the power. Who knows.

There is a connector about 3" long total under hood with the green/black. Unplug it and see if you can just make a jumper from the battery to the alt side of the green/back. If it charges, work your way back in the body harness.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 09:52 AM
  #20  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,875
Likes: 2,446
It never hurts to have the same information the Ford techs used. If not for now then for the future.

 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 10:54 AM
  #21  
Kashdon's Avatar
Kashdon
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by Hit Man X
Corrosion. Loose crimp. Crushed wire with maybe one strand trying to flow the power. Who knows.

There is a connector about 3" long total under hood with the green/black. Unplug it and see if you can just make a jumper from the battery to the alt side of the green/back. If it charges, work your way back in the body harness.
ok I’ll try that when I’m home tonight
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 10:54 AM
  #22  
Kashdon's Avatar
Kashdon
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
It never hurts to have the same information the Ford techs used. If not for now then for the future.
yes I’ll look into getting something like this for the future
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 11:10 AM
  #23  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
There is some relevant charge circuit info here (based on a 1986 model year truck): https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/cha...e-engines.html
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 11:14 AM
  #24  
Hit Man X's Avatar
Hit Man X
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,553
Likes: 2,034
From: North Texas
I will grab you a pic from my '88 in a few hours of that connection point. It may help.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2024 | 04:31 PM
  #25  
Kashdon's Avatar
Kashdon
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
Thank you guys
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2024 | 10:44 PM
  #26  
Kashdon's Avatar
Kashdon
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
So taking a break from this one, got another truck with electrical issues, thank you guys for helping.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2024 | 10:01 AM
  #27  
Hit Man X's Avatar
Hit Man X
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,553
Likes: 2,034
From: North Texas
Forgot pic of plug, sorry!





 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2024 | 07:59 PM
  #28  
Kashdon's Avatar
Kashdon
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
No worries, that’s weird I have the same one but I have 4 wires on the one side and just the one on the other
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2024 | 09:12 PM
  #29  
manicmechanic007's Avatar
manicmechanic007
Hotshot
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 2,664
From: Near Salt Lake City
Club FTE Silver Member

That plug with your thumb on it looks like the processor ground wire
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM
  #30  
Hit Man X's Avatar
Hit Man X
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,553
Likes: 2,034
From: North Texas
The connector only has that, I did a 3G swap probably 20 years ago so honestly cannot recall how the stock harness appeared. 100% that is the switched wire. I do seem to recall it was two pieces in one loom.

It is green/red. I swore green/black. Wrongo!

The PCM ground I have in pic below. I flipped my cables to match the 1992+ style as my batt hold down failed once and positive arced into the fender. Fun. I just run a 92+ positive cable anyway as I have a PMGR starter and my ground is the good, used from my '96 7.3.

Bunch of stuff out as cleaning and changing stuff up












 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:48 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE