Where does this wire go? - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: Where does this wire go?
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I need to find out where this wire goes. I took my truck apart and am only 1 step from finishing.

It's a 2002 Dakota.

There are 3 wires connected to the positive cable for the battery.

1. runs from positive to starter.
2. runs from battery to fuse box

3. This wire connects at the fusebox via an o ring to the fusebox/positive wire. So it's an O fitting connected to the fuse box with 2 wires running into it. 1 connects to battery, the other is about 2 feet long, and has a gray cap that goes over whatever it connects to. The wire is black with 2 grey stripes along it, thick gauge copper wire insulated and heat shielded

I need to know where this BLACK wire with a GRAY cap connects to. I think it goes to the alternator but I am not sure. I would have a picture but my camera is broken.

If somebody could PLEASE trace the wire from the fuse box to the source of where the Black wire with the Gray cap connects to, it would help me out SO MUCH. I almost set my truck on fire thinking it was just a ground when I connected it to the frame.

I already have the 1 wire connected securely to the starter. Maybe 2 wires connect to it? I don't know.

2002 club cab 4wd 3.9 motor 5spd

RobinHood
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2005
15:40:25

RE: Where does this wire go?
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With this wire connected to nothing, my truck does NOT start. My radio/lights/4wd works but the truck will not start, not even a clicking sound. It just acts like nothing happened when I turn the key, and NO codes are being thrown because it says P Done when I run the diagnostics. So apparently my circuit isn't completing, possibly to the alternator, possibly to the starter.

intensedak39
*GenIII*

12/08/2005
15:40:35

RE: Where does this wire go?
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goes to the alternator

RobinHood
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2005
15:41:34

RE: Where does this wire go?
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Where on the alternator do I connect it? Front back? side to side? lol

intensedak39
*GenIII*

12/08/2005
15:57:47

RE: Where does this wire go?
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there should only be one place that matches up with it.

your alternator should have a pole to mount that wire on the back and a place to plug in a harness for the field wires, that should be it.

RobinHood
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2005
15:57:55

RE: Where does this wire go?
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I think I connect it to the back, but I am not sure. My wire was burned in half when I had connected it to the ground so I think I'm going to buy another one from autozone right now.

Even with my alternator unhooked, shouldnt my truck start and run off the battery? I mean when I turn the key nothing happens, only my radio restarts. Still no codes are being thrown.

Thanks a lot for re-affirming that it went to the alternator, that helped me out tremendously.

RobinHood
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2005
16:00:09

RE: Where does this wire go?
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Yea, I found that pole, and the field wires are already hooked in. Just gotta get myself a new wire now.

Thanks a lot, you are helping me out a lot. Now just my 1 questions is left: Shouldnt my truck still have started even with the alternator unhooked?

RobinHood
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2005
16:05:00

RE: Where does this wire go?
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By the way, for anybody who wants to learn something about electrical systems:

Positive wires do NOT need a ground. You will get hurt trying to ground it to the frame (which of course the negative is already grounded to the frame)

RobinHood
Dodge Dakota
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12/08/2005
17:16:26

RE: Where does this wire go?
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Replaced the altenator wire, everything looks good there. Now I have a feeling that when I fried the altenator wire, that I possibly fried the starter wire at the same time. The starter doesnt even crank over when the truck is turned on.

Here's my next plan:

Run a wire from the positive down to the starter, have a friend turn the truck on as I touch the starter pole with the new wire.

If it turns over, good....if it doesn't, I'm lost. Possibly need to get a new starter, but the thing was good last time I used the truck. Can you fry a starter with the electricity that burned through my first altenator wire?

Rooster
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2005
15:23:11

RE: Where does this wire go?
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Sounds more like you poped some fuses when you shorted it, lol!

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