I have a 2000 camaro, 3800 v6 drivetrain in a small truck I just bought. Everything worked fine till the other day. I was driving it home and a cable for an old amp dropped and shorted out, it was like you turned it off. I replaced the battery and got it home but could tell that the alt was not charging. I replaced the alt along with the battery and it still wont charge. any help would be great. Everything worked perfect pryor to this. It will start fine, but the alt wont charge the battery. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

OK so let me get this straight... You have the 3.8L in a S10 or something like that... IF you shorted a direct to battery connection you are going to need to start checking fusable links and the power distribution block (cant tell you where to find it since it is not in a camaro) and make sure you still have everything intact. Fuses and fusable links, Also make sure the primary wire from the alternator to battery is still intact as well.

Massey

 

Ok the main power wire to the alt is fine and has and gets power. The small wire to the alt doesnt have power at any time. I know it needs power to give the alt power to charge. My question is this...should it have power in the start possition only or the on possition only? Also is this a low voltage wire, meaning less that 12v? Thanks for all the help

 

exciter wire needs power to it for the alt to work. should be on whenever the ignition is on. could be fuse or fuseable link. check all fuses in both fuse boxes. should be a breaker for the ignition. try a jumper to the small/exciter wire with 12 volt and see if it works. if so thats your problem just have to track down the short or blown fuse.

 

^^ Craby just about summed it up. Now you just need to find why you dont have power. DO NOT leave a direct connection to the alternator. 2 bad things will happen. ! you will get a dead battery over night. and 2 you could fry the internal regulator since there will be no cooling from the alternator's fan.

Massey