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Overview - check the condition of the main wiring harness. Look at the insulation on the wires coming from the gray connector on the firewall, and on the wires coming up from under the engine down near the alternator.
Specifically to the alternator problem. It is linked to the problem with the warning lights. When the key is in "Run" position (Position II) and the engine is not running - that is sometimes called "bulb check position". Any warning lights that are supposed to light on your car, but do not, can be considered burned out.
When the engine runs and the alternator charges, the lights go out. Or should.
Why? The oil pressure light grounds when there's no oil pressure. The others get their connection through the alternator brushes. The thin red wire on the back of tha alternator is that connection. It runs through that gray connector.
When the alternator charges, the ground is lost and the lights go out. But wait, there's more.
That small current coming to the alternator via that red wire carries just enough to provide excitation tothe alternator. No current = no charging.
Check that wire. If it is not connected to anything, the lights won't come on and the alternator won't charge. If it's grounded other than through the brushes (like under the front of the engine) the lights stay on all the time and the alternator won't charge. Wiggle the connector, it can look good and be bad. BTDT x 2
Good Luck,
Bob
:>)
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