The Ford Barn

vern hodgson · 03-05-2019, 09:16 PM

Installing an alternator, removing cut out wire and got a spark. Question, should that wire always be hot??

jw hash · 03-05-2019, 09:34 PM

Yes, the yellow wire come from the battery through the amp gauge.

Bill G · 03-05-2019, 10:29 PM

Before doing any changes on the wiring, you should always either turn off the master cut-off switch or disconnect the battery. Believe me, it will save you a ton of grief. You might notice that in the Les Andrews book, just about every major procedure begins with disconnecting the battery. Why do I say "believe me"? Ha ha.

ryanheacox · 03-06-2019, 11:00 AM

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Yep, everything in the car is hot all the time. Turning the key off only breaks the connection to the points.

If you have a fuse on the starter you can pull that instead of disconnecting the battery as that fuse protects every single circuit in the car except the starter.

03-05-2019, 09:16 PM	#1
vern hodgson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: langley, wa. Posts: 642	Alternator install Installing an alternator, removing cut out wire and got a spark. Question, should that wire always be hot??

03-05-2019, 09:34 PM	#2
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,552	Re: Alternator install Yes, the yellow wire come from the battery through the amp gauge.

03-05-2019, 10:29 PM	#3
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: Alternator install Before doing any changes on the wiring, you should always either turn off the master cut-off switch or disconnect the battery. Believe me, it will save you a ton of grief. You might notice that in the Les Andrews book, just about every major procedure begins with disconnecting the battery. Why do I say "believe me"? Ha ha.

03-06-2019, 11:00 AM	#4
ryanheacox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northwest CT Posts: 1,092	Re: Alternator install Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yep, everything in the car is hot all the time. Turning the key off only breaks the connection to the points. If you have a fuse on the starter you can pull that instead of disconnecting the battery as that fuse protects every single circuit in the car except the starter.