that big wire is NOT ground, it's your hot 12vdc to the battery. the other two are probably the DA plug wires #1 & 2. a three wire alt. the DA has an exciter wire that gets voltage from your system to the alt. the sensing wire is the other that let's the internal regulator know how much voltage the truck is using. the big fat wire provides voltage back to the battery. the housing is grounded thru the fastening 'bolt'. the truck started because the battery still can turn the engine over and provided voltage to/thru the system to the dist..
did you take the old alt to the parts house and got one just like it?

Last edited by carolines truck; 11/23/2008 7:03 PM.

Jim & Caroline
The highway is for gamblers, better use your good sense."
Gooday-that's my 1¢ answer due to the lousy economy ~ cause I ain't got - no . mo . doe

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