[tennykimble]

i replace my -- working-- alternator (due to failed bearings) and the new one will not charge! i took then new one back to napa they said its charging good. i put a new battery (old one way 7 years old!) in the car and that didnt seem to have any affect. after quite a bit of reading in the repair manuals it comes down to i need to hook the car to a tech2 and "command " the generator "on" and that will give the 1 small wire ( only 1 wire in rectangle plug ) on the back of the alternator 12v, and if that happens the pcm is good. and if it dosent the pcm is bad. i checked the voltage at the 1 small wire (in the plug) and it has 5 volts with the key in the on position. i did put 12v to that one small terminal and it did charge, BUT it loaded down the engine pretty hard. so my question is how much voltage SHOULD the small wire get ? (under normal operation conditions?)

i find it hard to believe the pcm just went bad between alternator changes