It sounds as if the tan wire you found is actually white. It is much
larger in diameter than the other wires that connect to the alternator,
and goes to a bolt, while the others go into a grommet on the back of
the alternator. There is another large wire on the alternator, a black
one that should be connected to the case of the alternator and either the
engine block, or the car body or frame.
The white wire is the alternator output. If it isn't connected you won't
have any alternator output. The loose terminal on the alternator needs to
be repaired. If it is just loose, you can get off cheap at the alternator
shop. Since you will have to remove the alternator any way, they can
check the brushes while they have it apart. If they are worn quite a
bit the alternator will have to come our again in a few years, so you
might as well pay a bit more now, rather than later!
Peace,
Pat
--
- Support Habitat for Humanity, A "hand up", not a "hand out" -
Pat Horne, Network Manager, Shop Supervisor, Future planner
CS Dept, University of Texas, Austin, Tx. 78712 USA
voice (512)471-9730, fax (512)471-8885, horne@cs.utexas.edu
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