81 Positive Cable & Alternator

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

When you're driving on a five lane highway at 70 mph and people are passing you like crazy while talking on their cell phone, you'd have your lights on!

Some times on by way to work, I have my high beams and my driving lights on, and it's sunny outside!

Driving with a Frank-n-boot on your clutch foot doesn't make it any easier, either!

The other day, driving home in a rain storm with the blower fan on, the lights and the wipers going, it was pulling my amps down close to the red marker.

Have fun, drive fast & safe, be kewl,

jclay

[mb4tim]

well, I don't have A/C or driving lights. The radio is on the work bench. I'm pumping current to the injectors, lights, and an AC/Delco ignition.

I think my old Yugo used to draw more current...LOL. I'll watch it until I can really get into changing out the wire.

On another note, I ordered the steering column bushing for the firewall. Guess what I hope to do next week, other than to apply bandages to my fingers

-Tim
http://www.morSpeedPerformance.com

[sst]

Ok did I understand this correctly? Connected to my Lucas alternator are three wires: large brown wire, small brown/yellow wire, and small brown wire:

Large brown wire on alternator goes to the battery
Small yellow/brown goes to dash light
Small brown goes to starter

I never could find the Saturn alternator, so I ended up getting one made by Motorola made for classic mini coopers and Triumph because it was supposed to drop in with no modifications - according to the seller. Anyways, here's a pic of the back of the new alt.. I know large brown wire attaches to yellow clip and the small brown/yellow wire attaches to the blue wire - anyone know where the stinking small brown wire attaches? Thanks




Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!

[mb4tim]

I had one wire that didn't attach, and I forget what it was for. Being colorblind - I can't even tell you what color it is.

The guy who sold me mine had the harness wires marked for me.

-Tim
http://www.morSpeedPerformance.com

[sst]

Tim you may be right - just got an email from the seller who said that the small brown wire was an ignition wire that the new alt doesn't use.. Tracking it down on the schematic it goes to the starter motor, but no idea what it's actual purpose is.. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!

[mb4tim]

try without it

-Tim
http://www.morSpeedPerformance.com

[HDRider]

The third wire is the "sensor" wire. It is used by the stock alternator to monitor the voltage/load level of the electrical system so that the alternatoir can work at it's optimum level.

This is why it is placed away from the output terminal of the alternator. That allows it to monitor the system level rather than the output level of the unit.

The Saturn units utilize this wire for the same function but I am not familiar with the unit that you are using.

Edward Hamer
Petaluma CA

[sst]

Thanks HDRider.. dropped it in this morning and didn't connect the small brown wire to anything per the sellers instructions.. so far everything seems to be ok.. so far..

Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!