Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Wireing on the Altenator

I have a 97 Contour V6. The bearings went in my alternator about a month ago and I ended up getting my alternator rebuilt and while reinstalling it I accidentally broke the smaller of the two wires that attach to the back of the alternator.

I ended up splicing a small piece of 12 gage wire from the broken wire to around the bolt on the back of the alternator. Now a month later the wire seams to be wearing and the battery light is starting to flicker again. I have just a couple of questions pertaining to the smaller wire.

I know that the large wire goes to the battery. What does the smaller wire do and where does it go? I see it go up into the engine from underneath the car but looking from the top of the engine I can not find it. Also is 12 gage wire strong enough to be spliced in there, or should I be using a smaller gage (thicker) wire.

Thanks,
Bob

Look at the picture on this thread and explain which wire you are talking about. You may just have to do this wiring fix.

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1043318&fpart=1&PHPSESSID=

Hopefully it is a wire problem and not a crappy alternator rebuild.
Karl