[Jeepnstein]

Hi all, Another wacky wiring problem. My 79 CJ frys alternators like most people fry eggs for breakfast. My problem started a year ago for no particular reason. Nothing was changed or rewired. My jeep started to have a drain on the battery. I am getting 12v between the neg battery terminal and the actual negative wire. I tried to trace the draw, but have been unable to find it. The steps I have taken are:

1. disconnected the wire block from the firewall (still had battery draw so I know the problem is in the engine compartment)
2. started at starter solenoid and removed wires one by one until I found a wire that stoped the battery draw. It was the red wire from terminal 1 on the alternator
3. Replaced the alternator, and low and behold still have a battery draw.
4. Started jeep, and the alternator started smoking after 10 minutes of running.

I have replaced the alternator about 3 time (thank God for lifetime warranties), starter solenoid, check all wiring with my scematics without any luck.

Sometimes I just want to push this thing off a cliff and dump it into the ocean.

Anyone have any Ideas? Is there anyone willing to take some pics of there wiring of the starter solenoid, alternator, and coil area? That could really help me out.

[thenubsterman]

so you have stripped the harness down and vissually checked all the wiring, and check to see if that wiring splices off anywhere in the wiring harness that you do not see like maybe it goes up to the ignition switch or something stupid.

[Jeepnstein]

yea...I see what your saying. My jeep like many others look like a multi-colored rats nest. Do they sell painless wire kits just for the engine compartment?

[Geer_hed]

Originally Posted by Jeepnstein

Anyone have any Ideas? Is there anyone willing to take some pics of there wiring of the starter solenoid, alternator, and coil area? That could really help me out.

It sounds like you were 1/2 way there. You isolated the draw to the alternator wire. Keep disconnecting crap one by one downstream and work your way up until the draw goes away... There's only one splice between the alternator BATT terminal and the battery IIRC...

[thenubsterman]

i wouldn't buy a new harness just for a draw, but do what Geer_hed is saying, and nice pictures, I have a painless in mine so its a little different

[Jeepnstein]

Wow, awesome.....I really apprieciate the pic with the labels....its gonna save me some time...Thanks again

Just by looking at the pics, I have noticed something....I have the positive lead from the accell coil goes to my "I" terminal on the starter solenoid. Whats up with that? Where is that wire supposed to go?

[Jeepnstein]

Ok....I disconnected every wire in the engine compartment except the positive wire coming from the battery to the Alt/Batt terminal on the starter solenoid and the red wire from terminal 1 on the alternator to the spice on the main feed wire on the alternator.

So pretty much the power goes from the battery + to the starter solenoid, then from the solenoid to the #1 terminal on the alternator, and I still have a battery draw. I know this because I have 11.7v on a volt meter between the negative terminal of the battery and the negative battery cable. What the hell is going on???? I can't take it anymore, Calgon take me away!!! Seriously though, Anyone have any Ideas?

I am positive every other wire is disconnected, I even unplugged the block from the firewall, unplugged all connectors on the ignition box, distributor and coil. Help Help Help

[BigYellaJeep]

Ignition Coil

The (-) dark-green wire runs to the ignition module, more specifically, the four prong connector.

The (+) red wire runs to the ground.

Forgive me if I'm wrong in any of this, but think that's what I have going on..

Do you have a manual? Those come in REAL handy, especially with electrical problems! I never broke mine out until I had to tackle all the electrical stuff on the I-6, and then later for the 304....plus the usual torq settings and all.

[Jeepnstein]

Yea..I have a Hayes Manual, but some of those wire diagrams are like trying to decifer hieroglyphics.

[BigYellaJeep]

Originally Posted by Jeepnstein

Yea..I have a Hayes Manual, but some of those wire diagrams are like trying to decifer hieroglyphics.

Too be strong with the CJ, learn to read the Hayes Manual you must!

[Geer_hed]

Originally Posted by Jeepnstein

So pretty much the power goes from the battery + to the starter solenoid, then from the solenoid to the #1 terminal on the alternator, and I still have a battery draw. I know this because I have 11.7v on a volt meter between the negative terminal of the battery and the negative battery cable.

So you disconnect the alternator and the draw goes away? You've got a ground path through the alternator case. The alternator is supposed to ground through the case to the block, but not at all times. Do you have the alternator Field terminal wired to constant B+? I should've picked up on the #1 terminal reference earlier...

The only terminals that should run to constant B+ are the Sense and BATT ... ref pic:



This would explain why all your new alternators are displaying the same characteristics. It's not the alternator, it's the ground path you've provided. Field needs to be switched B+, else it will source to constant B+ and constantly energize the block via the alternator case.

Take a peek and see if we're talking about the same thing...

[Jeepnstein]

Thanks for the reply, I took a look and I do have the #1 and #2 terminals backwards, but I have tried to reverse the wires recently,like it shows in your diagram, but I don't get a charge while the engine is running.

You are correct though, I do have a ground path through the alternator case. I disconnected the negative terminal from the battery and I used my volt meter to touch the case of the alternator and the other lead to the neg terminal of the battery and I had 12V....so, I definately flow through the case.