91 dodge charging system
Hello all,
I have a 91 dodge that has an older 318 (carb) in it. I bought this truck like this and now am trying to get the charging system to work.
I have an alternator that physically fits the truck (mounts) but its label that does not have a regulator and uses a computer to regulate it.
I want to keep the truck as simple as possible. If I can get a charging system to work, as the earlier model trucks, that would be preferred.
There is a VR on the inner fender that has one wire running to the alternator’s harness, I don’t think that’s going to help anything. The other wires are cut.
Is there a schematic to the charging system online? (Of a 79 dodge)
I think what I got into was someone dropped an older motor into a new truck. Not sure what other problems I will have. But for now I need the charging system to work
More info,
I drove the truck home (55 miles @ night) with no alternator and the truck runs fine other then the lack of charging. I was told it has been sitting for awhile and did have some hesitation when accelerating and it does not like to shift unless you back off the throttle. All this was going away the more I drove it so I am confident that the mechanical drive train is worth overcoming the charging system pitfall.
I have a 91 dodge that has an older 318 (carb) in it. I bought this truck like this and now am trying to get the charging system to work.
I have an alternator that physically fits the truck (mounts) but its label that does not have a regulator and uses a computer to regulate it.
I want to keep the truck as simple as possible. If I can get a charging system to work, as the earlier model trucks, that would be preferred.
There is a VR on the inner fender that has one wire running to the alternator’s harness, I don’t think that’s going to help anything. The other wires are cut.
Is there a schematic to the charging system online? (Of a 79 dodge)
I think what I got into was someone dropped an older motor into a new truck. Not sure what other problems I will have. But for now I need the charging system to work

More info,
I drove the truck home (55 miles @ night) with no alternator and the truck runs fine other then the lack of charging. I was told it has been sitting for awhile and did have some hesitation when accelerating and it does not like to shift unless you back off the throttle. All this was going away the more I drove it so I am confident that the mechanical drive train is worth overcoming the charging system pitfall.
Get yourself a VR of a older truck that has a triangle shaped plug on it. Run a switched 12v source to the top one and from the top one to one of the small wires on the alternator (doesn't matter which one) run the bottom right one to the other small wire on the alt. Ground your alternator case well and ground the VR well and your done! You should have 14.4-15.4volts at idle now
Here's a pic I found:
Here's a pic I found:
Last edited by gyman98; Aug 20, 2010 at 12:43 PM.
that did it!, now i need to find the drain on the battery. i remove the radio and still pulling .25 amps with the key in the off and the doors close. no alarm. should have nothing pulling power from the battery correct?
Can .25 amps kill a battery over night? if nothing else i can check measure the amps from my other truck to compare.
Can .25 amps kill a battery over night? if nothing else i can check measure the amps from my other truck to compare.
Watch the amp gauge while you pull one fuse at a time until you find the drain on the system. This will work 90% of the time unless the short is before the fuse box and even then it eliminates most of the electrical system as the problem.
Your electronic ignition uses power 24/7 but not .25 amps. Are you sure nothing is on? No underhood light? Door closed? Once you double check do what Seal suggested and hopefully it points you in the right direction.



