Now won't start

H

hillbry

Member
Scout II 345 newly rewired with a 21 circuit kit.

It was running with no problems then went to start it and it barely turned over and the solenoid was clickin all over the place. Got it jumped, after 3-4 try's, and drove it home with no problems. I replaced the solenoid and even less of a turn over. The inside lights are working no prob and the radio is responding. I had the battery charged about two weeks ago, I ran it down while working on the wiring, so the only thing I am not sure of is my whether or not my alternator is crapping out. The stock alt gauge is reading to the left.

Where do I start-alternator, battery...?
 
Start the engine and measure the battery voltage after running 2-3 minutes. Should be 13.8-14.4 if the alternator is able to do it's job.


Sounds an awful lot like a low battery.
 
Ya it was measured and I only got 12. That obvioulsy means the battery is not being charged and the alt is done right?

If so what is the best option for new alternator's for a basically stock 345 that I eventually want to get a winch hooked up to but nothing else super energy needy? I would like to get something higher than a 64amp.
 
Hillbry,
before you replace your alternator put in a jumper wire from your alternator. I was frantically getting some wiring issues done before rmihr and ended up not having to replace my alternator. I put on a new pigtail, a new full wire from the thick wire to my solenoid switch, a new start wire from the thin wire to the top of the bell housing. Then left the stock bat+ and ran a second wire from there to the bat+ side of my solenoid switch. (I have a Ford starter solenoid switch.) I’m not charging properly and didn’t need an alternator.

If you put in a new one you can put in a 12si. Ask for an ’84 camaro with the 304. That will get you 94amp but you’ll need that jumper wire or to bypass the ammeter. Look up madelectrical.com for the ammeter bypass.
 
Just out of curiosity, I am checking my buddies work, what happens if the alternator wires on a 63 amp delco are connected backwards? I asked my buddy who did the wiring on it and he did not know and did not want to try it.

The reason being it was not showing charge on the meters and it did before the wiring project. Keep in mind it did sit for 6 years so anything can happen! Thanks guys for the input so far.
 
You should have three wires on it.

Bat+, this is the blue cable goes from the large lug to the firewall, to the ammeter, to the firewall, to the battery. This is your charging wire. If you're not getting juice through this setup your battery will drain and die.

Pigtail thin 18ga wire, this wire is from the ignition and tells the alternator to turn on. The pigtail only goes on one way but it is possible to wire it backwards.

Pigtail thicker 14ga wire, this wire sees load and tells the alternator to ramp up when there's a higher load.

If the pigtail has been wired backwards the alternator won't turn on and you won't get charging to your battery and it will drain and die.
 
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