GT is running just not charging

finally out of the garage! tuned and played a lil and went for a drive around the neighborhood. i want to drive it to work tomorrow so i can put some exhaust on it, only problem is the alternator light. i only live about a mile from the shop so i was thinking of taking the chance of drivin it with no tag just dont want to it to die on the way and cherokee co.'s finest to try to help me out here is a pic to help yall help me and a couple for fun cant find a place for that lil white w/ black wire hanging over the battery if anyone sees something wrong with it please let me know. took me 2 years to get it goin again (funds and time)so i forgot exactly how it was. back of the alt never was takin off so i dont think its there. alt work very good when i pulled the motor. TIA

 

My alternator light stays on 24/7 i never seen a problem with it?

 

if you have a volt meter just check your battery voltage with the car running and with it off and see if it's charging.

 

well now that you mention it i havent even checked the voltage

 

then what makes you think you don't have a good charge? the light's just a light.

 

the light never came on, while running, before the engine rebuild.

 

Start by testing your battery and work your way in. looks like it will be a cool ride once finished!

 

anyone have a good alt wiring diagram??

 

Here is a diagram I have on my site:

http://www.maverickcomet.com/Wiring/MavWiring/1973/1973MavMain.pdf

That white/black stripe wire is most likely the issue. It connects to the alternator. The light is just a light, but the circuit has been designed to light the light generally only when the alternator is not charging the battery.

It's been a long time since I've dealt with a stock Maverick alternator so I don't remember exactly where it connects...

 

the light is the green wire going into the regulator. it has ground till the alt starts generating voltage then the ground goes away. did you paint the engine compartment? i could be the voltage regulator is not grounding.

 

Voltage should be 13-14 if alt is working.

 

If the battery is fully charged you shouldn't have any problem getting the mile to work and home. I am not smart on wiring and somebody mentioned that wire going to the alternator but I thought all the alternator wiring was bolted on? What about the voltage regulator? OR maybe the horn relay? All those wires in place?
clint

 

thanks agian every one for the advice.:Handshake took the chance and drove it up there last night and it did fine. light was still on when i got to the shop so i checked the voltage w/ my power probe and it was 13.3 on the battery. did the exhaust, played with the timing, and adjusted the carb. left it over night, went to pull it out and light was off. dont understand, all i can think is a short i must have moved or that battery had a low charge from sitting. ive heard that putting a battery on concrete, for a so long, will drain it. but is this true for the optimas?


oh BTW.... put 2.5in tubing, a pair of 40's and turn downs on and i love it. little on the louder side but good tone. oil pressure is @ 60 psi @ 190 deg. idling. not bad for a motor that never left my basement (no professional mach. work)

 

how do you get 60 psi oil pressure? is it just that much of a difference between a 302 and a 351? mine runs a round 50 at cold and 30 hot. i just rebuilt the motor.

 

m-68hv high volume pump i know alot of people say it's not good or even needed but it gives me a peice of mind. mines @ 90-100 on cold start. all you need is 10psi for every 1000 rpms or i think thats how that went