I will test again, but I am pretty sure that the exciter wire has 12V with the ignition in the on position. Not sure how or why that would be the case versus the 3V that it should be at. Pictures are worth a ton in this instance and will get them up soon.

 

Definitely 12v on the exciter wire with the ignition on. Off zero, running 12v/battery voltage.

Here is a picture of the alternator






Here is the jump post:

 

I couldn't get a good pic of the starter.

 

Matt thanks for posting pictures any chance you could put a drop light under the car and take another picture,
I wanted to see the rear of the alternator and where your hooking up the Blue wire ,
also remove the brush holder and take a picture of that as well, Thanks

 

IF, with the exciter wire connected to the correct terminal on the alternator, you get 12V with the ignition on, this means that the exciter terminal you are connected to on the alternator is not connected to anything.

Just for clarity

When measuring the voltage at this terminal you have the Red wire from your meter connected to the exciter terminal and the black wire connected to the body of the alternator or other suitable ground point ?

 

Yep, red lead to exciter wire, black to ground. 12V with ignition on. With the exciter wire grounded to the frame, low voltage light and other lights come on the dash. So the exciter terminal is not connected to anything or the wire? Without the wire connected to the terminal, the terminal does not have voltage.

Merlin, if you look at the first picture I you will see the red battery wire snake around to its post with the nut on it, about in the middle of the picture. Directly above that nut from the angle of this picture, you will see the small post where you place the exciter wire. I am positive this is the terminal to use as this was the terminal used when it was tested at the shop I took it to. I will try to get a better picture. May have to remove the alternator to get a good picture of it with the brush holder removed.

 

With the exciter wire disconnected - Use an ohmmeter to test between this terminal on the alternator and the alternator B+ terminal....? then reverse polarity and check again? what result?

Are there any other terminals back there...

I think this is likely a second B+ terminal

Alan

 

Alan, I will do your test but I am fairly confident that this is not a second B+ terminal, there are no other terminals and this is the exciter terminal that the shop used when they tested it and it was fine. The exciter wire, when disconnected or connnected has 12V with the ignition on. So it isn't getting voltage from that terminal, it is delivering voltage to it.

 

please post a better picture were all in the dark here

 

Exciter circuit changes, early

 

Here is a better picture:

 

thanks thats more clear ,
in the picture the thick wires are loose on the stud,
and what is the flat looking thing thats connected to the stud with the thick wires?
If you remove the blue wire does it have continuity to the 14 pin connector?

please remove the brush holder and take a picture of the brushes.

 

Merlin thank you for your help. Yes, checked continuity tonight of the blue wire and it was fine.

Is it possible that the blue wire needs to be grounded? I mean if everything pops up fine when I ground it. Does it make sense to run a ground from the exciter terminal and that it should be grounded and supply voltage for excitation? Probably not but just grasping at straws.

 

Landseer thank you! That helps me out a lot!

 

No.

Test the small terminal - with the ohmmeter as noted before. Also with just B+ connected to the battery - what is the voltage on the D+/61 terminal (with no wire attached to it).

Is there a datasheet with the alternator that shows the connection scheme - this may possibly be different from the stock alternator - though that would be strange.

Alan