today I was driving the car and I lost all power to everything and the car died. I started searching around the alternator to see what could have gone wrong and I noticed that the black wire coming out of the plug on the alternator was cut and there is about 6 to 8 inches left but I cant find where it goes to. the wire is on the I terminal and when the key is on it has power. when the car is runing and I check the battery voltage it isnt charging at all but dropping at a steady rate. does anyone know where this wire needs to go?
Best I can offer ya bro:
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/84fila/Wiring%20Stuff/pg25.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/84fila/Wiring%20Stuff/pg25.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/84fila/Wiring%20Stuff/pg26.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/84fila/Wiring%20Stuff/pg27.jpg)
I dont think that is what I am looking for bud if it is I cant read it. any way you could scan it bigger? what year of 2.3T is that for? I have an internal regulator
Thats from the 87' EVTM scott sent me. I'll attach them, thats in my photobucket
Edit...
Having attaching issues right now, I'll upload them in a bit.
I dont think I am understanding these diagrams completely :(
According to my diagrams there is no black wire at the alt - there's a black/orange (this is the main output wire and is a large gauge), a yellow/white stripe wire (should have power at all times) and a light green/red wire (should have power when ignition switch is on). This is likely the wire you're referring to (somebody may have replaced the plug).
there are 3 wires coming out of the plug. I'll take a pic.
the plug is labeled IAS I - Black A - Green/red stripe S - yellow
and then the always hot black orange stripe
keep in mind that this is a 2G alternator
You sure it says IAS and not ISA?
Various diagrams and pics in the 2G section at http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=63
According to them, the above scans, and my diagrams...
"A" (Yellow/white bottom wire) connects to black/orange's fusible link either directly (alternator warning light cars), or via the ammeter+shunt (gauge cars).
"S" (White/black middle wire) connects to the case, one rectifier diode, and middle of the stator (FFI site), or the case and a floating "shield" wire (above).
"I" (Green/red top wire) connects to the alt light (some cars) or directly to the ignition switch (gauge cars) via fusible link "K" (above).
You should be looking for some humongous short circuit that blew your wire right off the fusible link, or overheated it so much it changed color to black before it finally went. Without that wire, there's no "start-up" current to get the alternator charging.
If you have an ammeter you only need the hot with the ignition in run wire to either the I or the S on the regulator. In your case they put it on the S and the I is not used.
Why they put a short black wire in the unused position I don't know.
Some times the black pigtail wire is on the S as shown in the diagram that 84Fila posted.
The A on the reg. should be hot at all times.
The I or S hot with the ignition on.
If you have the above the alternator field should be energized (excited).
To check hold a hacksaw by one end blade in your finger tips. Put the other end of the blade near the laminated area of the alternator.
Ignition off no magnatism. Ignition in run magnatism.
If the field doesn't excite it could be the slip ring brushs are worn.
Unless you are into rebuilding alternators it looks like it is time for a new one.
I went and had both of my alternators tested and both of them were bad so I bought a new one and everything is back to normal and the car is charging at about 13.9 volts. and the volt meter in the dash is working when it never has before :dunno: