Pontiac Repair: chargingsystem, connector wires, gauge wire

Question
im trying to help out my bubby he has a 2001 grand am se 2.4l he just had tha alternater and battery replaced i checked the voltage its still 12v at the battrey and at the alternator his battery lights  still on all fuses checked good and connections all tight still no charge

Answer
Hi Kenny:

did he get a cheapo alternator from one of the bug box auot parts stores? If so it's possably the alertantor is either the wrong one or bad. It's possable that the original laternator was still good and there is an issue with the car. The big heavy gauge wire on the back of the later nator should have 12V at it al the time and the small connector should have at least one wire with volatge on it maybe as little as 5V but should not have  zero volatge on it. on these cars the engine control module regulates alternator output. each year the wiring to the later antor is a bit different and that's why the fits all ones from a big box stor a lot of times don't work it's not matched to the circuits on the car and they don't work. what you need is a service manual for that year car and take a loot at how the system works and if you don't have the corrrect volatge on the samll connector wires to check the wing between the alternator and the control module. good luck :)