QuestionI have an 1995 sts small northstar. Can you tell me what each wire on the altanator is. There are 3 that go to the passenger side wheel well. A 10 gauge to my starter then on that same stud bolt a small gauge that runs to a detachable link by the fuses and then on to theharness leading to the dash. My security light is staying on and I noticed that wire is cut.
AnswerHello,
I no longer have wiring information from the alternator wiring on a car that old, however, with that said, I can share some of my knowledge on the alternator relationship and how it relates to the GM VATS ignition based security system. With this addressed, it does not take into consideration the optional factory installed alarm, if even so-equipped.
The alternator has the main power supply for the body feed connected from the starter to the alternator as you observed. two wires are for filed excitement of the alternator to cause it to charge. I am not sure what the third wire is for and I see no reason as to how or why it would relate to an optional factory alarm.
The GM VATS ignition based (ugly resistor in key blade) security has nothing to do with the alternator circuit.
Is this something that just started out of the blue? If so, it would have no correlation with a cut alternator harness wire any way and the security light is caused by something other than that.
GM has a code chart of which I used to have the booklets for where you would look at the mylar list of 3 digit codes in the glove box or spare tire cover and could determine what options were installed on the car. Factory installed alarms were rare and an over-priced option and few had them. Since the alarm was integrated into so many circuits, there is no way of knowing what the engineers tied into and better yet, why?
You may have a transmitter to lock and unlock the doors, but in most cases even with a panic feature, these were not for an alarm, but merely key keyless entry to lock and unlock the doors and were standard on just about every GM car at that time.
Unfortunately GM was not specific as to what a security issue was and commonly, one light served the ignition based VATS and the optional alarm system.
There is only one way to diagnose a security light issue r to determine what the third wire that is cut leading from the alternator harness and that is with a factory Cadillac manual. These manuals may be found through Ebay or Craigs list.
As stated, the ignition based security IS Not controlled by this harness and the fact that the security light is on had nothing to do with the alternator.
Now, if you want to determine if the car has an optional alarm, you can go here and compare to your mylar code card---http://www.rpocodes.com/
Probably isn't even so equipped telling you this cut wire has nothing to do with your security light.
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