• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

1-Wire Alternator Issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter LimeLight
  • Start date Start date Sep 4, 2007
L

LimeLight

New Member
Nov 29, 2005
11
0
0
Sep 4, 2007
#1
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #1
I have a 65 Fastback with the 289. I've recently purchased a 100AMP 1-wire alternator to replace a 60A 5 wire alternator but can't get it to work. When I install it my Voltage gage reads just under 12volts(battery) which tells me that it's not working. When I have the 5 wire alternator installed the guage will read 13 to 14 volts as it should. I've taken the 1 wire amp to my local Pep Boys and they put it on some kind of Alternator Tester Machine which came back with positive results. Every test they ran on it passed so I installed it again but got the same results as last time. The belt is tight, I'm connecting the wire up to the positive terminal on the battery. Does the alternator need to be grounded somehow? My block looks to be grounded? Any help would be greatly appreicated! Thanks
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
4,159
20
79
Rowland Heights,California
Sep 4, 2007
#2
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #2
The alternator grounds through the bolt on the head. Check for ground straps on the engine, other wise it it will try to ground through the engine mounts.

it the pulley the right size???
 
M

mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.
Founding Member
Feb 26, 2002
2,976
1
56
North Carolina
Sep 4, 2007
#3
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #3
Most one-wires will not activate at idle speed: have someone rev the engine a little and it should self-activate and show a charge.
 

reenmachine

20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 27, 2004
1,258
2
38
Montrose, CA
Sep 4, 2007
#4
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #4
What else did you do to your wiring? Did you disconnect your old voltage regulator?

That's also true about the alt not kicking on until it passes a certain rev point. Did you ever rev it or just install it, start the engine, and look at the gauge?
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Sep 5, 2007
#5
  • Sep 5, 2007
  • #5
Don't rely on the stock gauge to know if you are chargine for sure. Check it with a mutlimeter to be sure.
 
L

LimeLight

New Member
Nov 29, 2005
11
0
0
Sep 5, 2007
#6
  • Sep 5, 2007
  • #6
answers to questions.

Thanks for the advice. I've been through so many alternators now that I'm not sure if I disconnected the old external voltage regulator the last time I installed the 1-wire altnerator, but I will try it again.

I have a non-stock gauge and I've also hooked up a multimeter directly to the battery just to make sure, but I still saw no difference.

I've also tried rev'ing it way past 2000 rpms, but no luck.

I can see a ground wire connected to the block, but I'm not sure how well that is working. Any suggestions on how I can tell if the alternator is being grounded properly?

Thanks
 

67coupe351w

New Member
Jan 31, 2004
424
0
0
Portland, OR
Sep 5, 2007
#7
  • Sep 5, 2007
  • #7
LimeLight said:
I can see a ground wire connected to the block, but I'm not sure how well that is working. Any suggestions on how I can tell if the alternator is being grounded properly?
Click to expand...

Check the resistance from the case of your alternator to the negative pole of your battery. It should be very low (I'm no electrical guru but I think you want ~3 ohms or less).
 

CraigMBA

New Member
Mar 24, 2007
783
1
0
Orange, CA
Sep 5, 2007
#8
  • Sep 5, 2007
  • #8
LimeLight said:
I can see a ground wire connected to the block, but I'm not sure how well that is working. Any suggestions on how I can tell if the alternator is being grounded properly?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I often use jumper cables to create a temporary ground between engine blocks, the chassis, and the battery.........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Resolved Electrical Help Please
  • Alabama
  • Jan 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
241
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 22, 2026
AeroCoupe
F
Electrical From scratch: alternator wiring
  • fox racer v2
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
527
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 23, 2025
fox racer v2
F
B
Electrical No charge from 3g alternator
  • BigShowJoe
  • Nov 9, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
20
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 18, 2024
Mustang5L5
D
1985 Mustang GT Battery Wiring and Grounds
  • DienstXIV
  • Dec 22, 2024
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
790
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 23, 2024
85GTStangGuy
J
Wipers won't work at all
  • jpfox
  • May 8, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
483
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 16, 2025
nickyb
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?