1995 cadillac seville sts

[Jason15036]

My alternator was not putting out voltage, which was causing me to get code p016, and battery volts low on dash. I put a new alternator on today, started it up and still no charge. All connections to alternator and battery are good. What could it be. THe only thing i was wondering where the little red wire runs that is on the connector that you plug into the alternator. If had a bad connection at the other end, would that cause it not to work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Jason15036]

does anyone have any thoughts on this

[Ranger]

I think the red wire from the alternator runs to the battery.

[Jason15036]

not the big red wire that comes off the hot on the alternator, but the small red one thats on the plactic connector on the side of the alternator.

[Northstar]

Have you taken apart your POS cable end at the battery yet, mine was full of corrosion. Pull out the bolts and slide off the red rubber ends.

[jhall]

The small red wire is the field coil wire. This provides a magnetic field so the alternator's rotation can "build up" and provide an amplified voltage to the battery (via the large red cable).

Yes - if the small red wire is damaged, there is no field voltage and there will be no, or very small, alternator output. Battery voltage should be present at the small red wire where it connects to the alternator (ignition "on").

[Ranger]

I just checked the manual. The small red wire your talking about is the "L" terminal and runs to the IPC. Circuit 101. (per '97 manual)