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Topic: Alternator/charging question (Read 590 times) previous topic - next topic

Alternator/charging question

Hi everyone,
 So on my way to work tonight I had one of those annoying "push on" connector wires on the back of the alternator fall off in the '85 Thunderbird causing the amp light to come on. I believe it is called the field wire. Anyhow, like an idiot since I didn't have a flashlight on me and thinking there was only one area it goes, I put it on a grounded spot.

 Should have waited until I got a light. I think I either killed the alternator or the voltage regulator. But since I don't know what damage I could have caused doing this I was hoping someone on here could help. I got it hooked into the right spot now, but the light is still on. Guessing I killed something, any thoughts or do you believe the best bet would be to just replace both?

Ain't got much cash so I'm hoping it's just a voltage regulator as they are cheap. And wouldn't normally ask such a question, but I got several hours to kill at work tonight.

Thanks everyone.
1985 T'Bird 5.0
1987 Cougar 3.8
1992 T'bird Sport 5.0 HO

Alternator/charging question

Reply #1
The field wire comes from the voltage regulator to control the field current in the alternator. If you grounded it you must have zapped the voltage regulator.

 

Alternator/charging question

Reply #2
Yep, that's what I did. Fried it good. Thanks for the help softtouch, this place rocks.
1985 T'Bird 5.0
1987 Cougar 3.8
1992 T'bird Sport 5.0 HO