Please explain 3 wire alternator connector - pic attached
 

The attached pic is of the 3 wire connector for the alternator in my '92 Z. The previous owner had the red wire (uncovered in the pic) linked together with a cable he ran from the rear of the car for a 2nd battery for a stereo, a cable that ran to the Hot lug on the alternator, and the power for the MSD 6a. From these he had a cable that ran to the battery in the front engine compartment.
Can you please explain to me why he had this wire run together with the other wires and what that did? I can't figure it out from my service manual.

http://drabicki2.home.comcast.net/Car_0005.JPG

Thanks,
- Joel

Brown should be switched 12 Volt and red should be hot to the battery or starter. I can not remember pink, but I would bet that it went to the battery or starter.

The old 10SI alternators were so easy to wire. The newer CS models are a little more difficult.

http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/cs130.php

This page will explain what all the wires are for
http://www.alternatorparts.com/cs130_sbpage1.htm

is there a page like that for the 1985 TPI alternators. i have a 104 amp one and it isn't charging either. has a two prong plug with a red and brown wire. Red wire is on the back post of the alternator( 12V + hooked to the battery as well off this post) and the brown wire is connected into the factory wiring, although my guage cluster has been removed and replaced with all autometer guages. should i then insert a resistor into the switched 12V + brown wire to simulate that choke light. and if so what size resistor? 10 ohm, 100 ohm? etc

That's just an old 10SI or 12SI alternator

http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/10si.htm
http://www.amphicar.net/darrellgaddy...M_10Si_Alt.htm
http://www.autorewire.com/tech/charg...10SInandd.html

thanks again stephen, that last webpage was excellent

Thanks for the help guys. Sounds like I should crimp a ring connector to the end and run that to the hot 12V lug on the rear of the alternator that in turn runs to the battery. I guess the previous owner had that looped in when he created this wiring mess.

Thanks!
- Joel