Won't Charge

[Restoredrust]

Hi, I've got a 1986 Scottsdale with just a mess of electronical problems, the one i am trying to tackle right now is a problem with my alternator not charging, I did replace my alternator, battery and the wiring harness that connects into the alternator last week, I am not mechanically inclined so I apologize in advanced if I dont call things by the correct name sometimes, initially I replaced my alternator and battery in an attempt to fix a draw on my battery, I figured that since the battery only drained when the alternator was plugged in the problem had to be the alternator so i went and bought a new one, (there was also a buzzing when the previous alternator was plugged in) when I went to unplug the old alternator the pigtail connector just kind of disintigrated at the ends and well that was the end of that so naturally I bought a new pigtail connector harness wire. I checked the fuses in the fuse box and they all checked good, I dont really know where to go from here. Sorry for the cluster of random detail I imagine it's a bit confusing so to summarize....
*Replaced: alternator, battery, pigtail wiring harness for alternator.
*Alternator will not charge.
*Parasitic draw before replacing alternator and wire.

Any input helps!

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Make sure you have a good ground between fram and engine and cab and frame.....add some it won't hurt. Do you have gauges or idiot lights? If lights does your batter light illuminate when the key is turned on? Do you still have a draw?

 

[Restoredrust]

I cleaned all the grounds, the draw is gone, not sure what an idiot light is, the only light I have on my cluster that shows is the choke light. I probed the wires with a indicator light and it showed power on the red wire but not the brown/black one, the brown/black one shows when the truck is on however which I think is normal

 

[Honky Kong jr]

I cleaned all the grounds, the draw is gone, not sure what an idiot light is, the only light I have on my cluster that shows is the choke light. I probed the wires with a indicator light and it showed power on the red wire but not the brown/black one, the brown/black one shows when the truck is on however which I think is normal

An idiot light is just the general term used for dash warning lights. Does your truck have full instrumentation? Ie. Oil pressure,temp and battery voltage?

 

[Restoredrust]

Oh okay, yeah all the lights work and gauges so I assume the cluster is good, no warning lights show other than the choke light.

 

[gpmorgan]

Do you have a volt meter?

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Is the choke unplugged?

 

[Restoredrust]

Do you have a volt meter?

I dont, but I can pick one up if it will help

 

[Restoredrust]

Is the choke unplugged?

The choke is plugged in, if I unplug the choke the light turns off

 

[gpmorgan]

With a meter you can check the alternator at the back terminal and determine if it's the alternator or wiring problem.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Hmm... Do you have good oil pressure? That choke light should go out pretty quick. There's an oil pressure switch in that circuit, but that's it.

 

[Restoredrust]

Hmm... Do you have good oil pressure? That choke light should go out pretty quick. There's an oil pressure switch in that circuit, but that's it.

I do need to change my oil, thanks for the input on that, any suggestiond on the Alternator?

 

[Restoredrust]

With a meter you can check the alternator at the back terminal and determine if it's the alternator or wiring problem.

Okay, I'll buy a multi meter today, how would I test it?

 

[RustyPile]

Let's get the choke light operation put to rest.. First, the choke light and alternator have nothing in common as far as operation goes.. When you turn the key (ignition switch) on but don't start the engine, the choke light will come on.. If the choke wire is plugged into the choke on the carburetor, when you start the engine, the choke light will go off and you should see oil pressure indicated on the oil pressure gauge.. IF the choke light does not go out and you don't see oil pressure, you have more important issues than a no charge condition.. Let us know when you have added a multimeter to your tool arsenal...

 

[Restoredrust]

Let's get the choke light operation put to rest.. First, the choke light and alternator have nothing in common as far as operation goes.. When you turn the key (ignition switch) on but don't start the engine, the choke light will come on.. If the choke wire is plugged into the choke on the carburetor, when you start the engine, the choke light will go off and you should see oil pressure indicated on the oil pressure gauge.. IF the choke light does not go out and you don't see oil pressure, you have more important issues than a no charge condition.. Let us know when you have added a multimeter to your tool arsenal...

The choke light goes off as soon as I start her up, thanks for the info! Headed to the store right now to get a multimeter