1990 No Power to Alternator

[magnus_erines@hotm]

One day I unplugged the black box going to the top of my alternator and on of the wires broke off. Since I am only trying to get as much out of my car as possiable i crimped on two female quick disconnect terminals and plugged it in, it worked great but i unplugged the terminals and when i try to hook them back in there is no power going to the altenator. I used a test light and tested all my fuses and could not find the problem. There is also still power to the rest of my vehicle from my battery. Does anyone know why my alternator isnt getting power or possiably where i can find the fuse belonging to the alternator. Thank you in advance.


-Bill

[shorod]

So it sounds like you have an alternator with the external voltage regulator.

Is the terminal in question labeled in any way (such as with an "S" or an "I")? If so, there is a fusible link in that wire. The fusible link may have opened. With the key in the "On" position, trace the wire back to the battery, probing along the way, being careful not to poke your finger. If you find a place where there is light on one side of the wire but not the other, you found your open.

What color is the wire at the alternator (Black/orange or yellow/white)?

-Rod

[magnus_erines@hotm]

on of the wires is red the other is black. I will probe the wire to find the link, when i do find it can i buttsplice a length of wire to it going into the alternator or do i need a certain gauge wire. If so how can i find what type of wire i need. Thank you for your help.

EDIT: The red wire is Red/blue and the Black wire is Black/White

-Bill

[shorod]

Hmm, the oldest service manual I have is for a 1993 Taurus. The wiring diagram for the alternator doesn't quite line up with what you describe, but then again it seems to only have the diagram for the integral voltage regulator design and not the external one.

I would suggest that if you find a fusible link is burned, you replace it with an appropriate fusible link. If the fusible link opened, it opened for a reason. You can probably find lengths of fusible link at your local Napa store. The diagram in the link shows the appropriate guage for the '93.

It appears that the diagram for your car can be found at Autozone's website, http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/g...3d800d309e.gif

According to the service manual for a '93 Taurus, fusible link F is brown and 18 guage. The other two links are gray and 12 guage.

-Rod

[magnus_erines@hotm]

Well Shorod you have been very helpful,

hopefully this is the last thing i need to ask.

I think I found what i believe to be my external voltage regulator and no i am just looking for the fusable link. Would the link most likely be after the regulator going into the alternator or before the regulator, or could it be in one spot or the other. Also would i be able to tell where the link was or is it actually in the wire were i would need to use a meter? and last question. Just to make sure i am not checking the wrong wires. The two wires i was describing were the to wires that oringally went into to terminals that made a T shape. The only other wire going into my alternator is a thicker black and red wrie that is secured by a nut and washer and covered with a piece of rubber. Can you tell me what that thinker wire is for just so i know for future refrence. Thank you so much for your help.

-Bill

[TomV]

I suggest you get a Haynes manual to get the wiring diagrams. This will answer your questions.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by magnus_erines@hotm

Well Shorod you have been very helpful,

hopefully this is the last thing i need to ask.

I think I found what i believe to be my external voltage regulator and no i am just looking for the fusable link. Would the link most likely be after the regulator going into the alternator or before the regulator, or could it be in one spot or the other. Also would i be able to tell where the link was or is it actually in the wire were i would need to use a meter? and last question. Just to make sure i am not checking the wrong wires. The two wires i was describing were the to wires that oringally went into to terminals that made a T shape. The only other wire going into my alternator is a thicker black and red wrie that is secured by a nut and washer and covered with a piece of rubber. Can you tell me what that thinker wire is for just so i know for future refrence. Thank you so much for your help.

-Bill

I suspect that the fusible links on your car, if they are still original, will look like little rubbery pucks formed around the wires. They work similar to a fuse, and therefore should be the only thing between the battery and any components.

The oldest service manual I have is for my old 1993 Taurus SHO. The wires in that diagram do not line up with what you describe. I suggest you check out the link at AutoZone that I provided in a previous post in this thread. If you have questions after looking at that diagram, repost and I will see what I can do. I suspect the thicker wire is actually the wire that provides the charge current to the battery. It may T to two smaller wires, each with their own fusible link.

-Rod

[magnus_erines@hotm]

Looking at the diagram and going strictly off color code, i would say that the middle diagram matches since all the red wires i was seeing coming from the alternator were really an orange that was dirty. So i am going to probe the yellow and white wire for a fusiable line, but where would fusiable link G be? Its kinda just hanging out in the middle of nowhere.

[shorod]

I'm afraid without having the car or one just like it in front of me, I am unable to tell you where link G would be. To serve its purpose though, it would need to be located near the power source, before any other components.

-Rod