Ok I have a 71 olds 98 and the alternator went out. I went to advanced auto parts and got a replacement. The alternator that went out had -- and 1,2 terminals for the connector the new replacement has || and R,F terminals for the connector. Also had a battery cable to the battery terminal that has a screw nut on it.
I wired the 1 terminal like it was the R and the 2 terminal like it was the F.
So I have the 1 wire going back to the wire harness.
The 2 wire goes to the terminal where the batter cable is screwed onto.
All this looks correct but now my GEN light is on all the time. Not sure why that would be. I only have the connector wit the 2 wires and the battery wire. I swapped the terminal wires and the GEN light stays on.


Any suggestions would be great and I can take pictures if needed.


Thanks

 

My regulator isn't wired in my car. its there but not wired. previously to the alternator going out the GEN light would be on dim when I initially started the car but would go out as I drove it. I figured the battery terminal on the alternator was the problem because it felt loose.


The car runs but I'm not sure why the GEN light would be on now.

 

So you have a '71 98, which was made with an externally-regulated alternator, someone down the line switched it for an internally-regulated alternator, which died, and you went to the auto parts store, asked them for an alternator for a '71 98 (externally regulated), installed it (somehow) instead of the internally-regulated alternator that died, and now it doesn't work?

Hmmmmm...

You have two choices: Either bring back the externally-regulated alternator you got and replace it with an internally-regulated alternator, or get your wiring back to where it was originally, and connect your externally-regulated alternator to the regulator that is already installed on your firewall.

- Eric

 

You are correct! looked it up for a a 71' 442 and it matches exactly! You're clutch!
Let's not talk about how I got the other one installed I'm going to get the correct one and install it today! I'll let you know how that works out in a few hours!

 

Sounds good!

Keep us posted!

- Eric

 

You saved the day again! Swapped the alternators and BAM! GEN light is out! Woot Woot. I'm back on the road. Here are pics of the job. shiniest thing under the hood.

 

Looks great!

Do me a favor, though, and go out and check your charging voltage when you get a chance, just to be sure all is well. That way, you'll have peace of mind.

Almost every problem is caused by something simple.

- Eric

 

Now I know why my wife calls me simple.

 

Or by someone who isn't sure what they're doing but goes ahead and does it anyway- and leaves the next guy to figure out WTH is going on...

Experience speaks here- and is one reason I hate working on Chevrolets. Every owner leaves POS (previous owner's stamp) on them.

 

Ain't it the truth.

- Eric