96neon new alternator not charging, why?

[NaturalAspired]

The alternator is working fine, per the shop I bought it from (its new from autozone) they checked it and its working. Its a big pain in the butt to get to the alternator too! but its not charging..

okay heres whats going on: Just got this car from family friend until I get my mustang engine back together. They told me the car needs a alt. so I got one and installed it and its not charging the battery, the battery light is on all the time and the battery is losing juice. At idle with the headlights on at night, and I push the gas the lights dont get brighter like they normally would. Would a bad solenoid switch cause this? are there even solenoid switches on Neon's?? I dont know much about these cars as I'm a huge Ford Mustang guy (Naturally aspirated 1993 lx coupe 5.0 ~350 rear wheel horsepower) well thanks for any info and input on my charging woes..

signed, not-so bright neon
Dave

edit: might as well throw this in the mix too. I guess when it rains and you drive through a decent size puddle it will spray some wire contact and blow the fuel pump fuse. Anyone know why or how to fix this without putting a bigger fuse in there? Hopefully this time of year we wont get too much rain in Florida. Hey, thanks again guys/gals.

[yogi_123rd]

Your problem sounds like a "fusable link" is blown. A fusable link is a wire that acts like a fuse and melts should the power spike. This protects the battery from damage.Most charging systems use this rather than an inline fuse to protect the battery.

If possible, follow the heavy gauge output wire back from the alternator to the positive post of the battery. That wire should have battery voltage at all times. If a voltmeter is handy, check it. Usually the link will be spliced into that wire very close to the battery so look around for a melted wire.

[NaturalAspired]

thanks for the info there. After some talking to the old owners, I found out that their mech. had unplugged the brain, and turned the computer to manual (whatever that is)..and on my alternator it said "NOTE: This alternator is regulated by the computer, not internal regulated." so now I'm like...okay so the computer being messed with might have something to do with this. What do you think? Do you know how to get the comp back to non-manual and plug the brain back in??? Thanks so much!

David

[yogi_123rd]

I'm an R+R guy.
If you have reason to believe the computer has been messed with, it would be simpler to go to the junk yard and obtain a replacement (same type vehicle - automatic/standard transmission) than attempt to tinker with it. The computer is the square metal box on the driver side fender with lots of wires in the connector. Justs plugs in.

[NaturalAspired]

well now I know the computer was messed with 2 years ago and its ran fine since without the computer..so it must be something else. still cant find the fuseable link..the battery wire goes right from the battery to the fuse box with about 3 inches of wire and there is nothing in that 3 inches of wire that is anything but regular wire..then it goes to computer, then to the alternator..