Electrical Problem PLZ HELP!!!

Nottoofast50

Founding Member
Dec 9, 2000
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Cali
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...
 
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
 
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...........
 
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
 
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


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...
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!