Common Terminal ID's
 

GM

-Early Delco External Regulator, 10DN
R:  Relay; energizes the ‘field relay’ coil of the externally mounted regulator so that field current can be relayed to the field circuit of the alternator.
F:  Field

-SI series, Delco Internal Regulator
1: Ign/Lamp. Excites, or turns on the regulator by means of power from the ignition switch. Lamp function also controlled by this circuit.
2: Sense. Senses system voltage. Is always directly connected to bat +, is always hot.
R: Relays an AC output to tachometer in some applications.

-CS & AD series, internal regulators  PLIS & PLFS
P: Phase. This an AC output to the tachometer; not always used and not required for alternator to function.
L: Lamp. Operates lamp circuit and may also be used to turn on the regulator.
*Never apply full voltage to this terminal without a lamp in series; damage to the regulator will result.
I: Ignition. May also be used to turn on the regulator.
F: Feedback. This is not a ‘field’ terminal as in other olde alternators. It provides a PWM (pulse width modulated)  signal to the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). The on-board computer (PCM) is using this to read the duty cycle of the alternator.
S: Sense. Senses system voltage. Is always directly connected to bat+, is always hot.

FORD -1G, Early external regulator
STA: Stator, an AC voltage typically used to turn lamp off.
FLD: Field
GRD: Ground

-2G & 3G, internal regulator
A: Voltage Sense & field source.
S: Stator. An AC voltage used to turn lamp off.
I: Ign/Lamp. Lamp on circuit and turns on regulator.

-6G, internal reg, Late,    I-D-A,    FR-SIG-A,   I-FR-A
I: Ign/Lamp. Lamp circuit and turns on regulator.
D: Dummy; not used.
A: Voltage sense & field source.
FR: Field rate. Like the ‘F’ on GM, the PCM (computer) is monitoring the duty cycle of the alternator from this terminal. (PCM monitored regulator)
SIG: This terminal receives a PWM ‘signal’ from the  computer to modify system voltage. This is done to regulate when the torque load of the alternator  is
decreased or increased, improving engine efficiency and performance. (PCM controlled regulator)
 
IMPORTANT: There are some Ford alternators that are look-alikes,  but will not interchange! They will mount and may be connected up, but they will not work. Care must be taken to assure the correct unit is selected for the application.
 
 
CHRYSLER  Externally regulated
From 1985 to present, voltage regulation is external to the alternator and performed by the on-board computer. It is not uncommon for the computer to be responsible for a ‘no charge’ condition. Alternator terminals are:
F1:  Field pos. from computer.
F2:  Field neg. to computer for voltage regulation.
                              
 
TOYOTA – HONDA  Early externally regulated  
L: (D+) Lamp; turns on regulator and controls lamp.
E: (Earth, Grd)
F:  Field. Usually a positive voltage is applied (B circuit).
An exception is the 14552 (A circuit); ground F to test.
N: Stator, an AC voltage tap on stator, used as a field relay.

Internal Fan, Internal regulator,  S-IG-L,  D-IG-L,  C-IG- D-FR-IG-L, C-FR-IG-L, S-FR-IG-L
 
IG: Ignition; turns regulator on.
L: Lamp control.
D: Dummy, not used.
C: Computer. Under certain conditions this terminal is grounded by the computer to reduce torque load on the engine.  The system voltage will drop to about 12.8-13V. This is normal, but because this is sometimes not understood, good alternators have
FR:  Field rate; an output to the computer indicating the Duty cycle (how hard the alternator is working).
S: Senses system voltage. The regulator adjusts voltage to accommodate changing electrical loads, thus maintaining the desired voltage set point at all times.
 
There are of course more, but this covers most of what you are likely to encounter. If you do come up against something unfamiliar, please contact AIM’s Technical Support department at 800-366-3246.