6.9 charging issues.... bypassing voltage regulator?

that stinky ford

Registered User
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
48
Reaction score
0
Location
Ham Lake MN
Soo... I have had some issues with my 6.9. It wasn't charging the batteries, so I put a multimeter on the + and - terminals on the alternator. It read extremely low, like 10 volts or something. So out comes the old junk, and to O'Reillys for a new one. The new one was noticeably bigger, and the terminals were on the other side of the battery. I asked for a 300 I6 alternator, and he said it was the same one. So I bought it, and it did bolt up. But the orange wire, which runs to the voltage regulator, had no connection point on the new alternator. It appears to have a plug-in port instead of a stud like on the old alt. It doesn't charge the batteries. reading 12 volts at idle off of battery posts. My question is, can I run jumper wires straight from the alternator to the battery? I looked at my brother's Buick, and it is a wire straight from alt to battery. Any ideas? :confused:
 

wildman7798

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2013
Posts
214
Reaction score
1
Location
Great Pacific NW
Take back the one you bought. Get your old unit back, have them look up the specific one for your vehicle and match them up on the parts counter before you leave the store. I'd also suggest buying a Haynes or similar manual for your truck while you are shopping to give you a little guidance with the work at hand. Above all else have fun and a safe Happy New Year!! :sly
 

that stinky ford

Registered User
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
48
Reaction score
0
Location
Ham Lake MN
I had them side-by-side on the counter, bought it anyways. It turns out it had the wrong alternator in it, I now have the correct one. Does anyone know where I can get the plastic wire connector that should be on the orange wire at the alternator thanks for the reply.
 

Ruger_556

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2013
Posts
469
Reaction score
0
Location
Ferndale
I just used spade connectors and nice neat job of heat shrink rather than plug on my alternator.
 

franklin2

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Posts
5,161
Reaction score
1,385
Location
Va
Be careful, it matters where it goes. This should be a orange wire with a blue strip correct? That wire goes to the field terminal of the alternator. Are the terminals labeled someway on the alternator. Is there a "F" in the casting?
 

franklin2

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Posts
5,161
Reaction score
1,385
Location
Va
Just connect them the way they came out of the plug.

He had a completely different alternator before. I am not so sure someone didn't modify the wiring to fit the other one, and now he has the correct one, it may not wire up the same and need a little head scratching to get it right.
 

that stinky ford

Registered User
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
48
Reaction score
0
Location
Ham Lake MN
The old field terminal was a stud, so he had a flat round connector on it. I have to go back to the original connector, which appears to be a spade connector. As soon as I get a chance to look at it, I will report. Thanks guys.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
91,217
Posts
1,128,517
Members
24,045
Latest member
Ramtough01

Members online

Top