Can some one tell me if a Alternator from a 86 camaro has a external voltage regulator or if it just needs an exciter wire? If it needs an external voltage regulator is there any Alternator that will swap in that doesn't.

P.S if it makes a difference the plug on the back has 4 prongs on it one big and 3 little ones little, with the letters "P", "L", an "I" ontop of a "F", and the big one "S".

Thanks,
Clint

[This message has been edited by Clinth (edited June 05, 2001).]

 

Anyone? I'm desprite I need to get tihs thing running. I'm tired of running of my battery.

Clinth

 

Are you trying to rebuild it? I just did mine(86Z) and there was no problem. The voltage regulator was inside. It had two prongs sticking out the top. There were other wires, but the regulator was seperate. That's all I know right now...not sure if that will help.

 

I'm trying to figure out why the alternator doesn't work. See the car was evolved in a fire and I have completely rebuild the car and everything works except the alternator doesn't seem to be charging. I've tried to different ones from the parts store neither seem to be working. Since I can't seem to find a decent wiring diagram that shows the ALT. I was hoping that someone could tell me if the Alt in a '86 camaro had an internal or external regulator. I currently have a ignition hot hooked to the I/F terminal and have the "S" hooked to the back of the Alt. with the cable from the starter Batt lug. I have tried moving the "S" wire directly to the Batt. to no-avail. So That left me thinking that it may be an external regulated ALT. Or I've got the wires real messed up on the back of the ALT.

Does any one know if the Ing/hot needs to of a certain amp/volt? Maybe I'm not giving it enough juice.

Thanks for any help and time.
Clinth

 

I would first suggest getting the Altanator tested to see if you have fried it then I would start looking for a short, thats why it's not charging, some where in one of the wire harnesses, the best bet in finding out if the voltage regulator is inside the altanator or outside is have a factory manual from GM for THAT YEAR car and look it up, you can get used factory manuals at car shows for about $50, believe me IT WORTH IT, those auto store books SUCK they cover to many years and don't have the huge dionostic charts that a FACTORY SHOP manual from GM will have.

 

Testing can be done free at many auto parts stores. That would be the easiest (smartest?) option in my opinion.

If your alternator is stock, it has an internal voltage reulator. GM went with inboard regulators a looong time ago (before some of the members of this board were even born). I remember my alternator on my 1968 Firebird used an alternator with an internal regulator (and that was not considered "cutting edge" at the time).

The "ignition 'on'" connection ("F"), while I have not tested it, does not require a lot of current. I would guess <1 ampere. The "giveaway" is GM's use of 18 gauge wire here (at least in my 1991).

The sense wire ("S") is 12 gauge, and this may be what the field is powered by (I do not have a schematic of the regulator so I am not certain). Because of its size (12 gauge) and because it uses a fusible link (at least on my 1991), I would suspect that this wire poweres the field windings and the field current is not taken from the battery via the positive output via the 8 gauge wire.