Electrical Problem PLZ HELP!!!

N

Nottoofast50

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Dec 9, 2000

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Sep 23, 2004

#1

• Sep 23, 2004

• #1

I recently installed a 3g alternator from a 95 mustang and used the pa performance kit and wiring to install it. It worked great for about 2-3 weeks but 2 days ago the alternator stopped working. I've checked every fusable link and ohms on every wire i can think of and can't find the damn problem. I tried a new alternator and it still didn't work. Also tried a new battery. Do the plugs on these kits go bad real quick or is there another wire i should look for!?!? I can't drive the car and it's my daily driver. HELP! The only thing i've done around the time it broke is fix the speedo cable. I pulled apart the dash to do that and had to unplug the cable from the back of the instrument gauges. Could i have pulled a wire loose from back there that would be messing up the alternator? The gauges and interior lights still work...

 

88GTtom

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Oct 22, 2003

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Woodbridge NJ

Sep 23, 2004

#2

• Sep 23, 2004

• #2

i assume that the pa performance wiring kit came with a 200 amp fuse and holder. did you check to see if that fuse has gone bad. how do you have this alternator hooked up. just the one 4 gauge wire or did you run the 2 ten gauge wires as well (the ten gauge wires were the charging wires for the stock alt) take a multi meter and see if the alt is putting out volts at the post on back of the alt and then check for volts at the end of the 4 gauge wire that should be hooked up to the starter solonoid

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 23, 2004

#3

• Sep 23, 2004

• #3

i have the 4 gauge wire and the 2 ten gauge wires. I'm only getting 12 volts at the alt and 12 volts at the end of the 4 gauge wire. I checked the fuse and it's good.

 

tmoss

Gettin Wired

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Jun 28, 2001

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Sep 23, 2004

#4

• Sep 23, 2004

• #4

Yes, there is a very good chance you caused the problem with the dash removal. The voltage regulator on the alternator gets "turned on" by a curcuit in the dash - if you turn the key on and your alternator warning light does not turn on, then that is the circuit that switches on the alternator and it's not getting voltage. Take a good look at this diagram.....the resistor around the bulb is to be sure the alternator works if the light blows out the filament...........

 

88GTtom

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Oct 22, 2003

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Woodbridge NJ

Sep 23, 2004

#5

• Sep 23, 2004

• #5

well 12 volts is not going to do it. i am assuming you did hook the white wire up (i believe that is for the voltage regulator) which has its own new harness on the new alternator. it is a single wire that you have to splice into a wire of the factory harness (at least that is what mine had) maybe the regulator is bad on the alternator. is this alternator from pa performance because i have herd that their alternators dont put out enough volts untill 2000 rpms. might want to run the engine to 2000 or 3000 rpm's and then check the volts. good luck

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 23, 2004

#6

• Sep 23, 2004

• #6

Ok so when i turn the ignition to on it should show the battery light right? It's not showing it so what am i looking for that's broken behind there?

 

M

mackey

Active Member

Jan 25, 2003

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Beverly, Massachusetts

Sep 23, 2004

#7

• Sep 23, 2004

• #7

Where is the Electrical Regulator located.

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 23, 2004

#8

• Sep 23, 2004

• #8

88GTtom said:

well 12 volts is not going to do it. i am assuming you did hook the white wire up (i believe that is for the voltage regulator) which has its own new harness on the new alternator. it is a single wire that you have to splice into a wire of the factory harness (at least that is what mine had) maybe the regulator is bad on the alternator. is this alternator from pa performance because i have herd that their alternators dont put out enough volts untill 2000 rpms. might want to run the engine to 2000 or 3000 rpm's and then check the volts. good luck

Click to expand...

I have/had all the wires hooked up correctly. The alternator worked perfect for about 3 weeks but just started messing up after i did the dash...

 

jrichker

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Sep 23, 2004

#9

• Sep 23, 2004

• #9

You may have disconnected the alt warning light. It picks up power from the ignition switch and feeds it back to the alternator.

See http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/19/59/5a/0900823d8019595a.jsp for 89-93 model years.

Look for the body wiring diagram that matches your model car.
Or for 79-88, see http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/16/71/3c/0900823d8016713c.jsp and look for the body wiring diagram that matches your model car.

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 23, 2004

#10

• Sep 23, 2004

• #10

Ok I have the dash apart again... which of the wires do i test/look for?

 

tmoss

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Sep 23, 2004

#11

• Sep 23, 2004

• #11

You need to use the diagrams supplied to trouble shoot it - you can read the diagrams right?

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 23, 2004

#12

• Sep 23, 2004

• #12

The wires i'm looking for are running into the instrument cluster right? That's the only thing i had apart.

 

N

Nottoofast50

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#13

• Sep 23, 2004

• #13

I read the diagrams but see no red/green or greeen/red wires running into the back of the instrument cluster. I have a pink/teal and a bunch of other diff colors, i'm not good with wiring and stuff. I can take a pic of the wires i see if that will help. Thanks for the help guys.

 

tmoss

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#14

• Sep 23, 2004

• #14

The pink/teal might be it. The right circuit will go to a small resistor on the back circuit board - find that and trace it back to the connector for the dash. Look at the film to see if you have any cracks in the wire film tracers.

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 23, 2004

#15

• Sep 23, 2004

• #15

What do you mean the back circuit board? Where is that located?

 

tmoss

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Sep 24, 2004

#16

• Sep 24, 2004

• #16

On the back of the cluster there is a plastic like film with the copper circuits on it that carry the 12v power to all the guages and lights. It will be obvious when you see it. Sounds like you need some help from someone with a little experience.

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 24, 2004

#17

• Sep 24, 2004

• #17

I figured that's what you meant but the only thing I have going to the back of the cluster is a plug with like 10 wires and the speedo cable. I do need help from someone with experience, unfortanetly I dont know anyone around here and dont have the cash to take it anywhere. I attached a few pics of the back, can you tell me which wires i'm looking for or where they are supposed to go? I really appreciate the help, this is my daily driver and it's frustrating the crap out of me that i can't drive it.

 

tmoss

Gettin Wired

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Sep 24, 2004

#18

• Sep 24, 2004

• #18

A picture of the back of the panel would be better, but I wonm't be able to help much for a few days - I leave for surgery in 20 minutes.

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 24, 2004

#19

• Sep 24, 2004

• #19

I will get one of the back of the panel... if you could reply once you get better i'd appreciate it. Hope everything goes well for you in your surgery.

 

N

Nottoofast50

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Sep 24, 2004

#20

• Sep 24, 2004

• #20

I FIXED IT!!! It was the wire you where talking about, it wasn't in the harness all the way and wasn't making contact. Tmoss I owe you bigtime, if you ever come to tx i'm taking you out on the town. Saved me lotsa $$$ having to take it in to a mechanic, I would never have known about the wire in the dash. Thanks! Hope your surgery went great!