86' ford ranger alternator help

[kingkevo85]

So I bought this 86' ford ranger a couple months back, I replaced the motor, etc.. Now I have replaced the alternator and for the life of me I can not figure out what the little white cord goes to. Please keep in mind not to be to harsh as I am learning while building so I am pretty much doing this on my own. And any help would be awesome. Thanks guys

 

[Mark_88]

Hi and welcome to TRS~!

If you read the last few posts in this thread it indicated that the white wire is only needed if you have a electric choke on a carburetor engine...if you have fuel injection it is probably not needed...but read the thread over and maybe elaborate a bit more as to whether your engine is running otherwise and if you have issues like battery drain or whatever...

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162916

The other member who has the 86 indicated his truck ran fine without the white wire....but it could be a different engine in your case (not stated) or different options...

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

+1 to what Mark_88 said.

'85/'86 were transition years for charging systems on Rangers
From the earlier external voltage regulators to alternators with built-in voltage regulators.

There was a White/black stripe wire on both, it connected external voltage regulator to the separate alternator.

If alternator has internal voltage regulator then this white/black stripe wire is a short loop between 2 connectors on alternator, connecting internal voltage regulator electrics to alternator electrics, even though they are in the same case, voltage regulator is a separate piece, so needs to be connected to alternators rotor and fields


But yes if it is a plain white wire then it may be a left over from carb engine, it would provide power to heat up Choke spring but only when engine was running, alternator spinning and generating power