Phil 0 Posted July 28, 2007 My alternator only had one wire connected (the main power cable from the starter). It was like this and my battery died last year - was it being over charged? With the wiring like this the battery light never lit up on the dash. I have just fitted a red top (racing) battery and new wiring to help cure my starting problems. Whilst wiring it up I noted that I only had the one wire connected to the alternator. I found a stub of a wire coming out of the loom by the starter not connected to anything (kinda red-brown colour). With the ignition on this read 12v so I extended it and plugged it in to the spade connector on the alternator. Now with the ignition on the battery light shows on the dash and goes out with the engine running. With the engine running I am getting 14.4v across the battery at idle. Should there be anything else connected to the alternator? Is there a way of telling if it is over charging the battery? Are my battery problems resolved? Thanks for any help! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richie-Van-GTi 71 2 Cars Posted July 28, 2007 problem solved, just them 2 wires to alternator Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil 0 Posted July 28, 2007 Excellent! Will this stop it overcharging? (If it was in the first place) Or is it purely for the dah light? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richie-Van-GTi 71 2 Cars Posted July 28, 2007 just for the dash light as far as I understand the system. Battery dying was probably just the battery,if its overcharging you tend to find other issues before complete failure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey S 29 1 Cars Posted July 28, 2007 they wont usually charge without the smaller wire connected to them. iirc its an exciter wire. if it was overcharging you usually get an nice eggy smell from the battery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil 0 Posted July 28, 2007 Thanks guys. Any think I can do with my multimeter to check the charging/overcharging? Dont want to kill the new battery! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey S 29 1 Cars Posted July 28, 2007 Thanks guys. Any think I can do with my multimeter to check the charging/overcharging? Dont want to kill the new battery! if your getting 14.4 across the battery at idle, all is fine my friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 9 Posted July 30, 2007 You may not get 14.4 at tick-over, it may take a few more revs than that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
