3SGTE Alternator

[obrim]

Hey guys,

Just finish up my rebuild/rewire of my 3sgte in my AE93 hatch and have an issue with the alternator.

Basically it isn't charging while running (approx. 12v at 2000rpm). I'm using a multimeter from the main eyelet (F terminal I think its called?) on the back of the alternator to the negative on the battery.

Now I'm wanting to get the alternator checked but am just wondering if the 3 other wires that come off the other plug on the alternator, if wired wrong can cause this low voltage output?

So should the alternator on this vehicle just output the normal ~14v as soon as the engine is running or is it switched on and off? ie. does it output say ~14v when it needs to be charged then switches back to battery voltage when its charged?

I hope that makes sense, just want to be fairly certain the alternator is stuffed before I send it out.

If it doesn't make sense just tell me and I'll try and explain it better.

-Thanks

[MWP]

Alternator should always charge the battery at 14.4V (or there abouts).
Sometimes it does take a few revs to get up to that voltage though... 2000RPM should be plenty.

So it does sound like something is wrong with yours.

[obrim]

Ok so I managed to get it putting out a charge, thought I'd share it in case anyone else runs into this problem :-)

Took it to the auto electrician down the road and he spun it up for me and said it was all ok. He explained that the 3 pin plug actually needed to be hooked up in order for it to put out a charge. It needed to be hooked up as follows:

Pin 1: Ign feed
Pin 2: To charge light
Pin 3: Constant power / Battery +'ve

Pretty sure this circuit excites the diodes and allows them to start rectifying the current. Hooking the wires up this way (don't need to hook up charge light to get it charging) finally made the alternator put out a charge. Thank god!