91RedRagtop

After swapping in a 350 TPI motor in my 305 TBI 1992 Firebird I have not been getting a charge to the battery. Found this out after I drove it and needed a jump start. I went to Advanced to check out both alternator and battery. The battery is fine. Alternator was charging a little low , but it was not feeding to the battery. So I replaced the alternator right there in the lot. Had him hook up his machine and , same problem. Alternator is charging, but not going to battery. I have had a few doubts about the way I hooked my starter wires up after my swap. On my starter there is 2 big bolts with nuts, and 1 small bolt with a nut all close together. I had 2 wires with small connectors. So I hooked both of them to the small bolt. Then there are 2 ( I believe) , big wires then the giant black 1. I hooked all those up to the top big bolt. The only thing on the bottom big bolt is a wire running directly into the starter. Is that all correct sounding, or do you need more info? I have already looked at all my fusible links and could not see any bad looking ones in case 1 of those blew.

kkingsrulee

I don't think the starter has to do with your problem, correct me if I'm wrong but if your batter has enough juice on on start up it should start up fine, unassisted by the alternator. I think the problem you would experience if your alternator wasn't getting power back to the battery would be it shutting off while you're driving.

Hm, I'm pretty sure ours are electronically regulated, so replacing the alternator probably wouldn't fix a problem with a bad connector or something along the wiring.

I'm not sure about the starter, I know two wires go on one of the connectors and the other wire goes on the other.

91RedRagtop

Well it probably would shut off if I drove it longer. ( Due to all power being drained form the battery) I have been charging the battery before taking it on small trips. His machine apparently had the ability to tell him that the alternator charge was not reaching the battery. I don't know the starter wiring is the problem , just wanting to eliminate it 1st. Reason for replacing the alternator was twofold, it was charging a little low, and we thought maybe the regulator was bad.

l_dis_travlr

Here's my experience w/ the same problem.
Look for a power junction terminal somewhere near the battery.
This is usually where the smaller wire part of the pos. battery
cable connects w/ several other main power circuits -- one of
which will be the main charging line from the alternator.
Some or all of these were corroded enough so that ADEQUATE
electrical connection was impaired. Cleaning everything up
(baking soda solution, wire brush, etc.) solved the problem.

(Part of my resto is to move the location of that junction,
to a position less susceptible to batt. acid.)

good luck,
kk

91RedRagtop

Thanks for the info there l_dis_travlr, and I could see that happening. I have had stuff like that before. I figured it out a day or so ago, and I did have a wire on the starter wrong. It is actually one that was SUPPOSED to go right where you were talking about ( the junction box by the battery/ radiator), and I had put it on the starter solenoid because it was hanging there after the swap and was the same size, and my tape with numbers and such had fell off