2.0L ('83-'88) Alternator Wiring (Not Charging)

[MooseBlood182]

This is currently my wiring on my new alternator on my ‘83 2.0L gas ranger. It’s not charging still. Am missing the black ground wire to the leftmost post correct? It’s nowhere in the engine bay and I’m the farthest thing from an electrical guru, I tend to avoid it at all costs. I bought the truck not running and have gotten it running thus far with a lot of new parts and love but I think the charging issue is a lack of a ground wire on the alternator. Could anyone confirm and possibly send a picture of their ground wire setup? I have seen the charts and diagrams and they are hieroglyphs to me for the most part

 

[Curious Hound]

Did you get the right alternator? The diagram shows alternator on an 83 is grounded through it's frame to the engine block.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Sometimes the alternator case isn't enough of a ground for the alternator to ground, adding a ground to the ground post on the alternator isn't a horrible idea... Some alternators just have a charge wire, others have an ignition wire, others have a sense wire, some are expecting a charge light that has key on power on one side and the alternator will ground that with the engine off and put power to it when on turning the light off.

 

[Curious Hound]

Sometimes the alternator case isn't enough of a ground for the alternator to ground, adding a ground to the ground post on the alternator isn't a horrible idea... Some alternators just have a charge wire, others have an ignition wire, others have a sense wire, some are expecting a charge light that has key on power on one side and the alternator will ground that with the engine off and put power to it when on turning the light off.

That's all true. But we are talking about his 1983 Ranger, which should theoretically be wired according to the diagram I linked.

 

[MooseBlood182]

That's all true. But we are talking about his 1983 Ranger, which should theoretically be wired according to the diagram I linked.

I believe it’s hooked up right then, I just cleaned the ground point and it didn’t change anything, still only reading 12.65 V on the battery and alternator with the engine on

 

[SenorNoob]

What about the separate voltage regulator? That could cause it to not charge right?

 

[MooseBlood182]

What about the separate voltage regulator? That could cause it to not charge right?

Yes so update:
New voltage regulator installed
Brand new alternator (checked at auto parts store to make sure it’s good)
Wiring setup is correct
Reading 12.6 V on battery
Reading 12.6 V on alternator

I tried grounding the alternator and that changes nothing so I don’t think that’s the issue there. Wire from battery to alternator seems to be okay, it is reading 12.6 V at the alternator. Not sure what else to do

EDIT: thinking maybe the module in the distributor went out?

 

[SenorNoob]

12.6 at which post on the alternator? The one to the battery or the one to regulator?

 

[MooseBlood182]

12.6 at which post on the alternator? The one to the battery or the one to regulator?

The one to the battery, I don’t know if I checked the other two going to the regulator

 

[MooseBlood182]

UPDATE:

Yellow wire to voltage regulator was the issue. Charges like shuffling socks on a shag carpet now! Thank you for everyone’s help and suggestions. Got her to the gas station and took a ride around town for the first time today!

 

[Curious Hound]

Ah. Those pesky yellow wires. Always causing trouble. Not like a good reliable, trustworthy blue wire.

 

[MooseBlood182]

Ah. Those pesky yellow wires. Always causing trouble. Not like a good reliable, trustworthy

Agreed. It used to go to the AC I believe but was necessary to make a complete circuit in the regulator. Wish I could rip them all out