there is no ground wire to the alternator...only the 'exciter' wire and the 'positive' cable coming from the batter. There is a ground running from the batter to the chassis (up top) and a ground that runs from the battery to the block somewhere...crabby mentioned it

 

check the voltage at the exciter wire like 69 is sayin. you need to make sure the alternator is getting told to come on when at higher rpms. check that plugin too, it may be failing.

 

Hmmm...if all else fails, just for fun, attach a temporary ground wire from the alternator to the frame. Doesn't the alternator have a threaded boss in back?

 

It has a positive cable attached to the back but could you use that area for a secure ground connection as well? if so it wouldn't hurt to try..

 

You don't want to connect the positive connection to ground unless you want to start a fire or fireworks display. As a test, a ground wire can get attached to one of the mounting bolts.

 

Who knows..New Years is coming up..

 

"Carbeques" are no fun though!

 

so clean every terminal (positive and negative), tensioner, belt...still have the same proplem...measure at the 'exciter' wire and also displaying around 11-12 volts.

Dug through some parts in the garage, found an extra pigtail connector and replaced the exciter wire connector and wire (to the point where it comes out of the wire loom)...

SUCCESS...i'm guessing the connector for the exciter wire went bad

Thanks for everyone's input

 

BTW...make sure you unplug the cables to the battery...I remember getting a fire works show when removing the alternator positive cable once...hahahaha

 

Dude me too! That's something that can't be stressed enough,it freaked me out so bad I thought I just fried the alternator