Sorry for the long post...but
My 85 740 gle went out Seemed to be a typical bad alternator problem.

Checked battery, with car off +12volts. Started car, slightly less volts at battery.

Checked and replaced regulator, still the same.

Bought replacement alternator at Autozone, when I looked at alt it had only 2 terminals on back, instead of 3 as on original. I thought that the 2 smaller terminals on original were both grounds, with the main (larger) terminal the positive.

I started it up with only the smaller red wire (goes to grey multiplug on left fender) and the larger + wire that goes to the starter, hooked up. (The ground wire from intake manifold wasn't long enough.)

Still no change in charging, although the idiot light did not light.

I saw at this point that the end of the large plus wire to starter had pulled out of starter crimped connector ring. I don't know if this happened while I was working on it, or was the original problem.

I thought by reconnecting everything it would be fine. But no change,(no charge).

I put both the ground wire from the intake and the small red wire on the smaller terminal of alternator and still no charge, but all the idiot lights were light up!

I disconnected the wiring to alternator and started car to see the voltage at the terminals. It was only about .25 volts!

I don't know if I've screwed up the alternator, or that there is something I'm doing wrong. (I've changed out about 10-15 alternators over the years).

Maybe it's old age.....

anybody tell me what's going on.

jc
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1985 740gle na, 1990 740gle 16 valve