Hi I recently got a 1985 camaro z28 with a 5.0 305. The battery was not charging so I replaced the alternator and battery (the battery looked very old anyways) but now the new alternator isnt charging either.

On the rear of the alternator is a small harness with two wires coming out. One is connected (i believe it is red) to the back of the alternator and the other is just hanging (black)...

Was wondering if the wire not being connected is what is keeping my system from charging or if I need to look elsewhere for a problem (the wire doesnt appear to have a mate...no other loose wires it would match up with)

any help would be appreciated

 

please help as I have now had both the battery and the alternator retested...as well as replacing the worn wiring harness. Any other things that could cause the charging system not to charge?

 

what style of alternator do you have? is there just a red wire or is there a wiring harness to go with it? also do you have the right size pully on it? is the belt tight? thats just a couple of things I would check, ohh is the alt big enough?

 

yes it is the right size...belt tension is correct...it has the small harness with 2 wires ...

any ideas on what else it might be?

 

You need both wires connected.

 

Is the 20A fan fuse in? We took this out to stop the battery running flat when waiting to turn on the car, and then found out once it was too late that this disables the alternator.

JAmes

 

Is the 20A fan fuse in? We took this out to save power when the car wasnt started, then ran the car, and found out all too late that this fuse disables the charging system.

JAmes

 

edit

 

any idea where the second wire would be found ... the red is going to the battery...the other has no obvious mate ...or unobvious for that matter. How would I test?

Ill check on the 20 amp fuse

 

That is the Field Sesing Wire it tells the Alt to start charging. On my car it connects to a Brown wire in the Body harness (the one that enters the car on the drivers side ofthe firewall.) I will look at my Chiltons Manual and find out what color it is for a 1985.

 

hey thanks for checking!

 

I can't find my chiltons manuall. I will keep looking.
Sorry it is taking so long

 

no problem man...any help is always good help (no matter how long it takes)