Topic: Charging and Lighting Issue - NEED HELP!!

[lone walker]

On a 83 22r 4x4 - spent the last 3 days yanking and testing.... Now its time for the pro to help. Thanks.........

problem 1 - cluster "brake" and "charge" lamp lite on. Pulled over, un-plug positive cable to battery, truck shuts off. Drove home on battery power, replace w/ new alternator and new external voltage regulator, voltage meter reads below 12volts but "brake/charge" lamp turn on and off here and there. Un-plug positive cable and truck still shut off. All fuse are check and are good. fusible link? relay? location?

problem 2 - upon installing new alternator, positive cable hooked on, ZIP and little smoke. I double check to make sure there was no arc between alternator to ground, which have none. Thereafter, no lights at all. Drive light, stop lamp, side marker, nor interior light works. fuse are check and are good. What could be the problem? Thanks

[Rocksurfer]

Does an 83 have an amp meter or voltage meter I don't really know which it has. If it is an amp meter then the main power runs through it and could be shorting everything. I ran an amp meter on my Willys and almost burned it to the ground when the amp meter shorted out. I know my 80 came with an amp meter so I was always worried about it.

[crazykooter]

There is 2 wires which connect to the positive cable.  One gives power to the head lights.  The other goes to your alt.  Both have green plugs.  The one with the 2 wires going into one plug is the alt plug.  Check that plug.  I am betting its what smoked.  If it did smoke then you have a dead ground on the alt circuit.