When I first bought this car 91 LO3, one of the previous owner's had spliced into the wiring of the altenator. They wired the brown wire into the red wire running to the junction block by the battery. The brown wire is the key on power source correct? I wired it back up correctly but no go. I am assuming there is a relay somewhere for this because fuse is not blown. I had been riding with a splice in the brown wire running directly into the fuse block under the dash. Dangerous I know, unhealthy for alternator obviously.

Ok so the alternator finally gave out I am assuming. I worked out of town for a week. Back at the shope my car would not start. After barley boosting car ran fine coming home. The next morning I had to boost again. Drove to get gas so i could let it idle and charge. Car died at gas pumps. Got another boost and it did not want to run at all, surging, stumbling, hesitation and an occasional backfire. I lost my temper and cracked winshield waiting on AAA to come with a rowback.

I double checked the hack wiring and it was all fine. Pulled fuse and it's fine. I put a new battery in and it would run fine but at about 9 volts. This was my wife's battery so I didnt want to kill it but to me seems like the alternator. So 2 things really.

1. Is it the alternator?

2. How can I repair this hack wiring job because I'm assuming a new alternator's life will be short operating this way.

 

Here's a wiring diagram to look through for reference. You should have 13.5 - 14.3 volts at the red terminal at the back of the alternator with the engine running. Take that reading & we'll go from there.
Corky

 

It will be Sat before i have time to check it out, but I will.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tbi/...ml#post3589850
sucks like a hoover.