JAWDY,

The two alternators in question look sort of the same, but the DA plugs are different, have different pin configurations and won't interchange. If you actually got the DA plug on the truck to snap into the receptacle, you have the proper alternator.

There is a small screw on the alternator housing that is used for a ground. Few people use it and it's not a big, fat obvious attachment point.

As Jim alluded to, maybe you did attach the post, which is big, fat and obvious to ground. This might have let the magic smoke out of your new 'dynamo'!

When you removed the old alternator, it should have had three wires...some kind of DA plug AND a big fatty with a ring terminal on the end. If you plugged the DA into the new alternator, what did you do with the other large wire. It should have attached to a large red insulated lug on your new alternator that might have said BATT.

These three wires are common. A fourth ground wire would be pretty uncommon but not unheard of. Does this make sense.

Most stores will not take a return on electrical items...unless they're friends or you're a real regular customer. Good luck and keep us posted.

Stuart