alternator problems

[GoldnGateYota]

hey everyone, i have a 1980 toyota pickup that i just finished building, or so i thought. was running great and charging the battery perfectly then one day it stopped charging. so i took the battery out to get checked at my local napa and it was perfect while i was there i got a new alternator. installed the new alternator and when i connected the negative on the battery the wires on the alternator started smoking.. any help is much appreciated

[GoldnGateYota]

so a few things i left out there is a small black wire hanging around which i cannot figure out where it would go. and also the new alternator fits the original plug which is the green one and the one i took out needed this black to white plugs to fit!

[GoldnGateYota]

the green plug and the random black wire

[OTO Phil]

You might have accidentally grounded the positive lead going off the alternator... Check to see if you have any short circuits starting at your alternator, going back to your battery.

[GoldnGateYota]

thanks for the reply pgragg! I followed the wires all the way threw and everything was fine, nothing grounded. checked all my grounds finally got fed up with the alternator. So i returned it for the same style one that was in it before (1979) plugged it in and everything worked perfect!

[OTO Phil]

Sorry it didn't work out for ya

[jssgbsn]

I went through two different alternators from a 'parts' store before deciding to buy a rebiult high output alternator.  Next time I run into a bad alternator on any vehilce im just gonna get it rebuilt by a alternator/started shop.  Cheaper and you know its gonna work correctly.

[OTO Phil]

Know of any good shops near Portland?

[xhootiehoox]

Hey guys quick question I did a motor swap same motor out of a month earlier truck everything works great cent my charge light is on the alternater to a dump yesterday I am thinkin the batter is bad too just change em both and see what happens?

[OVRAROK]

I would charge battery, then try to put a load on it, with a battery load tester, if battery is good, no reason to swap out

[xhootiehoox]

Hey just to say real fast I found out the 80s pick ups have two alternater some is a 45amp the other is a 55 I think and it all depends on ur design if it's a 5 wire main or a 6 wire main mine has a 5 wire main in it and I had the altanator for a 6 wire and it did what ur saying so check it out maybe that helps