i own an 81 el camino v6...i am currently swapping out the old one for a 400 small block. What do i do if the wire for the alternator is completely gone...dont know how it happend but it is gone..is there a direct way to hook it up..or where would it tie in at...IN other words how do i start fresh hooking up an alternator...anyone have any input

Generally the Alternator is connected through the ignition "switched on" to the Idiot light or gage to the "F" field (Possibly a brown wire at the fuse block) or "1" on the alternator. The other larger diameter wire (Red Sensing) is going from the Batt/hot side of fuse block. The largest diameter wire goes from the bat to lug on the alt. (Charge)

So you should have a brown wire at the fuse block that is cut along with a red wire slightly larger diameter that is cut or tied back ?maybe? both at the fuse block.

Prolly are the same for 81 as they are for a 78. My schematic is for a 78 Model.


This doesn't work for a single wire hook up. This is OEM wiring.

Hope it helps.


Sorry...

If you have the gages then you'll have a 10 Ohm resistive wire going from the switch (Ignition) to the fuse block and the gage will be tied inside the truck to the light then to ground. Light is still in the circuit your just adding the gage to ground and resistive wire in parallel with the light.

Actually the sense line can be tied directly to the B+ terminal on the back of the alternator. It does not need to be a switched line.