The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-02-2017, 12:10 PM   #1
AlbertaClassic
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Taber Alberta
Posts: 400
81 Wiring Alternator Help

Hello, I am new to this part of the forum. I recently purchased my first squarebody, an 81 GMC K2500. Due to a recent sale of my DD, I am in a hurry to get this thing running consistently. I have killed a battery or 2 (I'm not very mechanically inclined, but learning) and have done the voltage tests on the battery and have confirmed the battery isn't getting any charge. Atleast up to 2500 RPMs. So I need a quick fix to get the alternator running. It looks like to me that the battery charge post (?) on the alternator isn't connected to anything. See attached photo below. There is a loose red wire just hanging there. In theory if I hook that back up it should work correctly, no? Or, for now would it be possible to run a 10-12 gauge wire from the battery post straight to the alternator? Should I fuse it? I apologize if this should be in electrical, I'm just hoping to get it sorted out. Thanks in advance.
Posted via Mobile Device
Attached Images
  
AlbertaClassic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2017, 01:53 PM   #2
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,579
Re: 81 Wiring Alternator Help

There supposed to be a wire with a ring terminal on the stud on the back of the alternator
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2017, 02:26 PM   #3
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,579
Re: 81 Wiring Alternator Help

Like this..its a heavy wire about 10ga or so..
Attached Images
 
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2017, 04:09 PM   #4
AlbertaClassic
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Taber Alberta
Posts: 400
Re: 81 Wiring Alternator Help

Okay. So I have a wire that's there, theoretically if I hook it up I should be good to go? If the harness is a little butchered, what would be the best way to go about hooking it up to the battery? Would a direct line work? Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device
AlbertaClassic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2017, 07:08 PM   #5
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,579
Re: 81 Wiring Alternator Help

My alternator wire goes to the 2 pole junction block at the center of the firewall above the distributor
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2017, 07:30 PM   #6
Dead Parrot
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 2,472
Re: 81 Wiring Alternator Help

If you are talking about that red wire in your first pic with all the tape on it, probably yes. The other end of that wire should run to the junction point on your firewall. Same place as the red wire in the two wire connector on the alt.

Disconnect the battery when you test your hookup since IF that red wire is the wire that is supposed to be connected to the alt, it is full hot even if the ignition is off.
Dead Parrot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2017, 10:27 PM   #7
AlbertaClassic
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Taber Alberta
Posts: 400
The wire that was there was through the junction to the battery. Everything is good to go and I'm at 14.5 amps at idle now. Thanks for all your help
Posted via Mobile Device
AlbertaClassic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2017, 10:30 PM   #8
AlbertaClassic
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Taber Alberta
Posts: 400
Re: 81 Wiring Alternator Help

Volts*
Posted via Mobile Device
AlbertaClassic is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com