WTF Wires to Starter/Alternator

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SafariWagon

Master Mechanic
Jan 15, 2009
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So when I swapped over the buick V6 to the Pontiac 400 i may have messed up some of the wiring. Car starts and runs fine, but my alternator does not charge the system. I only had the one brown little wire going to it. I believe I should have about a 10 gauge red wire going to the screw on the back, correct? Well I have 2 10 gauge red wires going from the terminal block to the starter. They are both connected to the starter with one eyelet clip. I am thinking one of these need to go to the alternator? Does anybody out there know??????????
 

FE3X CLONE

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Dec 2, 2009
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I know on an Olds engine the wire runs from the stud on the back of the alternator directly to the positive battery post.

I would think that would be better rather than running a longer wire down to the starter and then back up to the battery.
 

SafariWagon

Master Mechanic
Jan 15, 2009
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Thanks, I'll try that Andrew. It seems to me that the two wires running to the eyelet clip were that way before, so it doesn't make sense to split them. If that does work and charges the battery, I'll be good.
 

Ribbedroof

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Jan 4, 2009
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The OE route is to the solenoid...less stray hot wires that way I guess

Mine was rigged direct to battery as well by prior owner, I assume the fusible link is burnt.

Here's a diagram out of the chevrolet manual

ChargeCircuit.jpg
 

FE3X CLONE

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I guess I should clarify that all of the cars I've had that had the wire running directly from the alternator to the battery were 260/307 V8 Olds engine cars. That was the factory routing for them.

The V6 cars were apparently different.
 

SafariWagon

Master Mechanic
Jan 15, 2009
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Ya, I saw that wiring diagram over on Maliburacing. I guess I can't read a diagram very well. Where does the 3.0 Red wire that goes to the V2 spot actually go on the car. It makes no sense to me............
 

Ribbedroof

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I'm no electrician, so take this for what it's worth....

One is in the connector with the brown wire, the other is on the stud at the rear of the alt.

Obviously, either way will work...i think the OE routing on the Chevs makes for a little cleaner install, but harder to repair in the car.
 

xcookpac

Master Mechanic
Mar 15, 2012
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I have an 85 el Camino (V* with AC) and the prior owner did some home wiring of the two wires from the starter post and eliminated the fusible links. I want to replace the two fusible links for obvious reasons but I don't know whether I should use a 14, 16 or 18 gauge fusible link as a replacement. Does anyone know the fusible link specs for a g body?
 

Dragonist

Master Mechanic
Dec 3, 2010
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Dallas, Tx
yeah on my olds I have a wire running from the stud, fusiable link, started than positive post...that might fix your charging issues. Does your car have the Charge light? If it does, I recommend mocking that wiring set-up to see if the Charge light kicks on, it did on my olds when I wired it that way.

I want to replace the two fusible links for obvious reasons but I don't know whether I should use a 14, 16 or 18 gauge fusible link as a replacement. Does anyone know the fusible link specs for a g body?

I would just get a fusilable link similar to the picture below that matches your alternator amp rating and wire it between the stub and the starter. These types of fusiable links can be purchased at Autozone, or Napa (i got mine from napa).

BA1783205-1.jpg
 
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