I am having a problem with my charging system, the alternator works, but it is not charging the battery, i was wondering if anyone had a wiring diagram for the charging system on a 1982 dodge ram with a small block v-8. Thanks for the help.

 

How do you know the alt is good? Did you pull it off and test it? If you did, and it tested good, I'd buy a new voltage regulator and swap it out. They're known to go bad every now and again. It's the rectangular box bolted to the firewall right behind the engine, 2 bolts and an odd-shaped wire connector. Not as many shops can test those as alternators, but it doesn't hurt to ask. They should run about $30 or so I think, maybe less.

 

I know its not the alt, but it could be the voltage regulator or the wiring, i am not sure, and the diagram in my book sucks. I really just need a better diagram. I am going to check out the regulator and see what happens with that. They are pretty cheap any way.

 

The voltage regulater gets it's ground through the metal case and the firewall. Should be able to pickup a new VR at Autozone for around $12.

 

I know that Advance Auto Parts and AutoZone can test the alternator and the voltage regulator.

 

Not the ones here, i already took the vr in there and neither of them had the tester... Our advance is like 4 months old and the auto zone is just over a year... Stupid little town... I am just going to go buy a new vr today, i hope that does it.

 

Shouldn't the amp meter show discharge if the alternator and or the voltage regulator are bad. My amp meter does not move when I turn on the key or turn on the lights. Or when I start the vehicle it just stays in the same spot. So what can be the trouble? O have a 1984 Dodge Ram one ton van.

 

im building a dodge dart dirt track car and need a simple wiring diagram for the charging system

 

if you want simple buy an alternator with a built in regulator.

 

then what alt would i run on a small block and where would the wires run i need to see it on paper