alternator wiring

[sue denim]

I have a problem with my 1997 renault master diesel van. The alternator light doesn't light up until I turn the key or use the windscreen wipers etc. The charging system is fairly simple and I am about to chase the wiring to find a bad earth or broken wire.

There is a stud on the alternator which is the positive feed to the battery via the starter solenoid. There is also two spade connectors. One large and one small. I believe that one is a feed to the ignition switch and then to the dash light. The other I believe is the feed to excite the alternator when powering up. The question is this. Which spade connector is which. Someone in the past has put two female connectors the same size so I cannot differentiate.

Any ideas how I can establish which is which ?

Thanks in advance

 

[Racers]

Hi,

I thought the stud and the big spade are the same connection.
I had a replacement alternator where I had to cut the end off and fit spade terminals to the wire.

Pete

 

[blurk99]

you could check the 2 smaller spade wires by jumping power from the van battery (leave the neg battery terminal connected, disconnect the pos and then use that 'feed' the 2 smaller spade connectors) then either listen for clicking from the engine bay or have a helper watch the dashboard light (one if the wires ought to be the connection to the dash)

jim