Alternator troubles

[80elky]

So my 1980 el camino (350 engine swap) is having some troubles with the alternator. The first thing that I noticed is that the battery was not charging. The battery is only a few months old and holds a charge so I know it's not that. Then I noticed that the headlights and dash lights were not working. I brought the alternator in to get it tested and they said it was bad so I bought a remanufactured one. That one still wasn't working so I bought another one. Still didn't work. I decided to bite the bullet and buy a brand new one, but still nothing. There is power reaching the back post of the alternator, but none leaving through the side spade posts. When I supply power to the wires going to the spade posts and the headlights and dash lights work. Does anyone know what the problem is? Could I have just had terrible luck with buying bad alternators or is something frying them? Could it be a wiring problem?

 

[fleming442]

The 2 pin terminal on the side has one lead looped to the charge post and the other recieves voltage on the brown as the "excite" wire.

 

[pontiacgp]

buy yourself a circuit tester and a multigauge, they will save you money from buying parts you do not need

 

[80elky]

The 2 pin terminal on the side has one lead looped to the charge post and the other recieves voltage on the brown as the "excite" wire.

So you're saying that the brown (which is actually white on mine) should be sending power to the alternator?

 

[olds307 and 403]

Is the light coming on in the dash with the key on? If the bulb is burnt out, it won't charge.

 

[80elky]

Is the light coming on in the dash with the key on? If the bulb is burnt out, it won't charge.

I'm sorry, which light do you mean?

 

[olds307 and 403]

I'm sorry, which light do you mean?

Mine says oil/choke. It might say charge.

 

[80elky]

Mine says oil/choke. It might say charge.

There is no light coming on from the dash. Is that a problem?

 

[fleming442]

So you're saying that the brown (which is actually white on mine) should be sending power to the alternator?

Yes. Should be hot with the key. Make sure the ALT idiot bulb isn't burned out in the cluster.

 

[pontiacgp]