So I'm getting everything together to put a 350 in my 85 Monte Carlo. I'd like to run a serpentine setup but don't know what would be involved with wiring the alternator. I got all the accessories with the l98 I bought but it's a box of parts so I might be missing some brackets and I would definitely need to get a tensioner. I might be able to get a good price for a vortec setup which would be complete. I have done some wiring and would be confident that I could get it done. I just don't know which wires would go where and not sure how to find wiring diagrams or how available a harness would be if I use what I already have. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
On the alt there are basically 3 connections. Newer alts have a plug that looks intimidating, but still has 2-3 wires, depending on how you want it hooked up.
The Alt pig tail has terminals 1 and 2
Terminal #1 from the alt goes to the one side of the idiot light on the dash. The other side of the idiot light goes to a switched 12v source (hot when the key is in the run position) This is the exciter wire and tells the alt to start producing juice. The idiot light does not get a ground wire, it gets a ground from the internal regulator in the alt when the alt isn't spinning. That's why it lights when the key is turned to run but the engine isn't running, and it goes out when the engine starts. You do not have to have an idiot light or a resistor, you can have just a switched 12V running to the #1 terminal and it’ll work just fine.
Terminal #2 from the alt goes to the hot side of the wiring system, normally it’s spliced into the hot feed leading to the fuse box. This is the sense wire, it tells the alt to produce more or less juice depending on the demands of your electrical system.
They sell the pig tail for approx. $15.00 That's what I use and just wire it in.
To test which wire is which on the old pig tail........ #1 wire will be dead with the key off and 12v with the "key on". #2 wire will be hot with the "key on" and "key off"
That's pretty much what I was trying to find out. The adaptors are what came up when I was looking for a pigtail. What would I do if there's an extra wire on the pigtail?
Depend on if you want or need the extra wire's function. if not I snip it off about 1/4 from the connector put a piece of shrink wrap in it, whiles it still hot, I twist the end to seal it. Then I bend the twisted end against the wire and slide on another piece of shrink wrap to lock it into place.
I put a GM alt on my jeep and only used two of the wires on the three wire pig tail.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Hot Rod Forum
2.2M posts
175.7K members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to hot rod owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restoration, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!