replaced the alternator today...

[txranger14]

checked the s/l terminals. both produce correctly with key on/ engine running. went and bought a test light. will do more troubleshooting tomorrow.

[MasterTec]

buy a cheap voltmeter. A test light can light up from anywhere between 4 and 18 volts. It's not a real accurate way of measuring charging voltage.

[txranger14]

ive got both. 2morrow ill have my dad helping me out, hes an electrician so it should be a lot easier figuring it out.

[Movin]

You did not test the alt case to bat ground yet?

[txranger14]

did the terminals to the neg post. thats all. it says in the book to test both terminals w key on and then engine running. cant keep the engine running long enough to do it. random question. what are the three posts that screw into the plate on the left side of the engine bay up top?

[Movin]

Use your jumper cables and jump from alt case to ground terminal then start the car to see what happens.

Lets try drivers side or passenger side, because right now all that comes to mind is the three fusible links on the drivers side.

[FestYboy]

random question. what are the three posts that screw into the plate on the left side of the engine bay up top?

those are supposed to hold a bracket for 3 vaccum solenoids: emissions and load compensation...

[txranger14]

ok, i was wrong yesterday. both s/l terminals produce 12v when only the s terminal is supposed to. what would make it do that and what would be the effect of it?

[txranger14]

i only ask about the solenoids because they weren't screwed in, they were all just hanging there. I feel like its the wiring harness for the s/l terminals. it's real loose and doesn't seem to stay in there at all. you can barely tug and pull it out.

[Movin]

ok, i was wrong yesterday. both s/l terminals produce 12v when only the s terminal is supposed to. what would make it do that and what would be the effect of it?

If you unplug the connector with the key on both will have voltage. Only one will light a test light bright.

If you plug it back in with the key on only one will have voltage. The charge light will turn back on, it would have been off with the plug unplugged.

If you start the car with everything plugged in both wires should have voltage.

What is the engine running voltage of the three wires?
What is the voltage between the alternator case and the
battery neg terminal?

[txranger14]

ok, dad "tightened" up the s/l terminal harness, we tightened the belt pulley and got a new belt (after it broke from being too tight) and the car runs great. it was not the belt that was the source of all these problems, but after diagnostics and fixing it, its good to go again. thanks for all the helps and suggestions guys.

[txranger14]

well, took it back sunday to get a new alt! the other ones threads are stripped out and won't hold to the bracket! yay! also was dealing w baddd squealing issues.

[txranger14]

got it all fixed back now, new new alt. belt squeal is gone, all thats left to do is registration and ignition tune up.