Where is the alternator grounded

The fourth connection is used to wire between the alternator and the voltage regulator. Labeling is inconsistent but is often "S". If you have a fourth terminal it is for the voltage regulator. The regulator ensures that, despite the speed the alternator spins and the amperes it produces, the voltage is adjusted to maintain between 13 and 15 volts.

Modern alternators have built-in voltage regulators so you may not find this connection. James Stevens has been writing articles for market research companies in the U. He has written various country profiles for inclusion in comprehensive market reports including Vision One Research and Investzoom Market Research. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.

You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Ground wire from alternator? I'm wondering is there supposed to be a ground coming off the alternator somewhere to the engine block? I read somewhere that there is and I don't seem to have one, at least not to my untrained eye.

I do have this tho. A broken connector still attached to one of the bolts on the alternator bracket. Weber Sarge. As long as the part in question alt is grounded through it's case to the engine , and the engine itself has a good ground to the battery , all should be good. But , in many cases , over time those connections get corroded , just like the battery cables. I usually run one heavy ground to the starter mounting ear , and another one that's a bit lighter to the alternator case or bottom mount.

Stops a lot of charging issues so the alt can read the current in the system and not hunt for a ground for it's field. Rudi explains this stuff better than I can , he'll be along in about 3,2, The body of the alternator is ground. The alternator is mounted on the engine and the engine should have a ground strap to the frame. From the frame there is a ground strip to the battery.

That's a long way for a ground circuit. There is a tiny ground wire on the alternator but that one goes to the voltage regulator to make sure that there is no voltage difference between the firewall where the VR is mounted and the body of the alternator.

To avoid ground problems I'll advice to make a "star" ground circuit where the battery is the center of the "star". Battery to frame, battery to engine as close as possible to the starter motor and battery to body preferable to the VR housing.

I think that a PO had a ground problem and tried to solve it with a ground wire to the alternator. That's what I see in your picture. Joined May 7, Messages 4, Location erie pa. I use a ground from alternator to the solid state voltage regulator not oem thats mounted on the fender. There have been many problems with powder coated or painted brackets not allowing the case to ground properly.

The alternator then tries to pull current through other grounds, resulting in a burned up ground system. For a rather minimal cost more on this in a moment! A lot of people are scared off by the mere thought of trying to replace a part like an alternator ground cable on their own. It should only take a few minutes to get the job done from start to finish.

Simple enough, right? Now for the moment of truth: How much is all of this going to cost? From there, you can replace it yourself for free or you can pay a mechanic to do it for you. Paying the cost to replace a bad alternator ground cable sure beats the alternative, which often includes paying for a new alternator or another new accessory for your car. Replacing it is cheap and easy enough to do. The second you disconnect the battery , the voltage regulator pegs the alternator to put out maximum power.

Conclusion is that the alternator powers all loads after starting. Therefore the answer to your question is no. Anyone who has driven a car fitted with an ammeter knows that any engine speed over idle always indicated a small charge current, even when the battery was known to be fully charged.

The three wire types in a three - wire alternator include the battery positive wire , the voltage sensing wire , and the ignition input wire. The battery positive wire connects to the starter.

The voltage sensing wire connects to the battery, and the ignition wire connects from the alternator to the key switch. Six Alternator Warning Signs: Dim lights. The alternator is part of the electrical system of your vehicle. Warning light. Most modern cars have a dashboard warning light that alerts you when the alternator is on the fritz. Weak or dead battery. Weird smells. Odd sounds. Visual cues. If you're hearing a grinding sound in your car, this could indicate that the alternator is going bad.

The grinding sound may be caused by a worn-out bearing. If you hear any type of whining or grinding sound that's a good indication that your alternator needs to be checked. Do I need to ground my alternator?