I have gotten some vague answers via the search capabilities, and I appreciate all input. So please help a camaro brother out...

1989 5.7l three wire alternator (one fat wire directly to battery and 2 wires on a plug)


a few questions:

1) Where are the two wires supposed to connect from that top plug? (I followed then all the way to the rear middle of the engine compartment)

2) I have discovered my battery drains when this plug is attached to the alternator. When the car is off, are either of these wires supposed to be hot? I suspect faulty wiring is allowing battery power to (back) flow into the alternator regulator (the alt hums). Lately I have been pulling this plug off the alty.


Involving question #1 & #2, and the hot wire question, I accidentally grounded that plug on a metal corner in the engine compartment, resulting in sparks-- all while the car is off position, I suspect a jerry-rig job. I want to resolve this matter as quickly as I can, so my last question:

3) Is it likely the regulator in the alty is bad, perhaps stuck in the on position, thus draining the correctly configured wires? I don't want to drop an alty in until I get an idea where the plug wires travel to.

THANK YOU!

 

come on guys/gals.... someone has to know where these two wires go...

 

this has been covered and beat to death a million times
its real simple
sure lots of ppl know where they go but not many ppl seems to be paying attention or may not feel like replying to a topic like this that gets beat all the time


the two bigger wires on the alt go to battery full time
the small wire goes to the dash light/guage

you probably fried the alt when you shorted the hot on the metal

it doesnt take much to fry it
tis is why you disconnect a battery cable whenever you are working on stuff
like this

sparks and humming is definitely not a good thing

make sure thereis no ground in the red wires at the alt

test them for ground if there is any ground in either one then dont use it and instead jump the spade red wire on the alt down to the charging post and try to run another 12 guage wire from the batt post to the charging post




good luck

 

"
the two bigger wires on the alt go to battery full time
the small wire goes to the dash light/guage

"

Alright, the reason this has been beaten to death is because some people provide confusing info concerning the wires.

Obviously the fat wire which connects to the post is right off the + batter post.

Another post suggested the red wire off the plug runs to the starter.

So there are actually two wires running to the battery.

does the smaller wire running to the batter run towards the rear of the engine compartment and around the passenger side?

I am just trying to trail the wires because someone changed the engine before I owned the car and the wiring is all fagazy.

 

The larger guage wire from the positive post on the battery is the one that runs around the front and passenger side of my engine, ultimately to the starter. I have the same set-up as you. I replaced this cable last week. But mine is stock all the way...