First drives, a couple of questions and comments.

[22lbChevelle]

So, I'm back home from school and working again on the Chevelle. Got the ECM mounted, the exhaust tied up, other basic stuff that needed to be done.

I took it out for the first drive tonight, to get gas and test how it all runs. The motor runs great and shifts just as it should. First time I got on it the exhaust came undone at one of those slip and tighten connectors (im lucky it didn't hit the ground and catapult me), but anyways I got that fixed. Then just about 1/4 mile from getting home I notice the lights getting real dim (yea I test drove it at night lol) and then she died. Had to call my dad and have him bring a battery down.

Turns out the alternator isn't charging. The second I got home I put a voltage tester on the brown alternator wire and its not getting voltage.

SO, my question is, since I have 12v from the Chevelle's check engine light running to pin "C" on the C437 connector, should the brown alternator wire be getting voltage? Or should I run the alternator it's own key-on 12v wire??



P.s., for those who read the VSS thread, yea it is kicking out a malfunction code 24 for not having a VSS.


P.s.s., Yes the check engine light came on when the malfunction code was thrown, so plugging the wire into the pin "C" does at least serve that purpose.



Long, I know, but any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Dan

 

[22lbChevelle]

Well I guess for now Im gunna run the alternator its own 12v source, but if anyone knows the real answer please pet me know. Thanks

 

[unix_punk]

That wire is for the field exciter to my knowledge. It's basically what tells the alternator how much voltage to output in a dumbed down sense. It should be wired in to the volt light in the dash. If that bulb burns out or the connection is severed then this is what happens. I believe Casper's had a field fix harness to properly provide the correct voltage/current to the exciter instead of having that bulb be the 'resistor' (for lack of a better word/thought).

 

[UR50SLO]

Exactly... you'll need to tie that to a ignition on for now to excite the alternator. The correct way is to run it to the "GEN" or generator light in your Chevelle. (I had a 72) back when it said "Gen" lol.
Did you get all the answers you needed on the VSS? (Missed that thread)
Glad you at least got a drive!
~Scott

 

[22lbChevelle]

Hey thanks for the replys. The thing about it is I did hook up the wire through the Chevelle's Gen light. It comes on when malfunction codes are thrown so i know it isnt burned out or anything. I ran the alternator its own wire and it is charging now so maybe some day down the road Ill figure it out better. But for now, dddddddddddrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiivvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee!!!