GM style alt troubles
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: KC
GM style alt troubles
So heres the problem. My alternator stopped working yesterday had to get a jump to get started. So today I took it in to have it tested and to my surprise the alt is good. My wiring from the alt to battery is good. The belt is tight and the alt is spinning, but im getting nothing from it in the truck. The alternator is a GM style one wire, the only wire besides the battery wire ive ever had hooked up to it is the one going to the voltmeter. I cant figure this out nothing has changed for the alternator to quit working.
Any body got any ideas.
Thanks, Nick
Any body got any ideas.
Thanks, Nick
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Burkburnett, Texas
GM alternators are notoriously known for overheating. You can buy an aftermarket kit that has a better bearings and improved cooling features that keep it much cooler. A good test on these older trucks is to pull off one of the battery cables while the truck is running... if it stops, you know you definitely have an alternator problem. How far did you drive it when you took it to be tested? Those testers they use "on the vehicle" aren't the best either; you might consider taking it completely off and taking it in to have them put it under a good load and test it.
good luck,
vern
good luck,
vern
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: KC
i drove it about 1.5 miles then it sat for about 6 hours the day that I took it to get tested. So in other words I dont think its overheating. The problem is evidently how its hooked up but I sure as heck cant figure it out.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Texas
I see you said Volt meter, not amp meter. How is this thing running to the primary circuit? Easiest way to wire this in is directly to the battery, if that works, you can troubleshoot further with good knowledge that your battery and alternator are working fine.
A few weeks ago I posted a question about converting to a 1 wire, what I got was good advice to keep the 3 wire setup. I am now running a 100 amp ford unit hooked up to the factory harnes. It also uses the same voltage regulator.
A few weeks ago I posted a question about converting to a 1 wire, what I got was good advice to keep the 3 wire setup. I am now running a 100 amp ford unit hooked up to the factory harnes. It also uses the same voltage regulator.
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From: Sun River St. George
Nick, you should have a jumper wire from the plastic plug to the same post you use for the battery wire. The other wire from the plug is the one you have running to the volt meter. The volt meter wire will also run your gen or alt light. The volt meter wire provides a bit of battery voltage to keep the alternator charging at idle. The site Square Wheels gave you is fantastic! Check all your connections and be prepared to replace the alt. These are cheap and usually last years. The one I have on my personal 66 has worked flawlessly for over 6 years now.
