I am re-wiring a 1998 Maxima. The FSM shows that a ground wire attaches to the alternator at Teminal E. The Nissan dealer recently installed a re-manufactured Nissan alternator.

When I took a look at the alternator at home, I could not find a ground wire connected to it -- and frankly I could not see a Terminal E either. I looked at the alternator from the top and from the bottom. If there is a Terminal E I surely missed it.

I was going to post a photo showing the wire bundle, but I notice that I am not allowed to put up attachments.

Anyway, the same wire bundle that contains the booted connector to the positive terminal also contains a short black wire with a ring terminal -- that was grounded to a metal fitting that was attached to some body metal, NOT directly to the alternator or to "Teminal E."

I am assuming without knowing for sure that this short black wire is the ground wire that the FSM thinks will be attached to Terminal E -- if it exists.

Can someone please help me by confirming how to ground the alternator in accordance with the FSM -- and in doing so confirm whether the black wire shown bundled with the booted connector is the proper ground wire -- and where it in fact should be attached.

Thanks.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about it, the alternator only really has two connections - the positive wire and the harness for the voltage regular - both of which are very obvious.

 

Isnt the alternator already grounded to the engine? to which the battery is connected to? ....

 

Yes.

 

There is ground wire for the alt as shown below. Bolting it up to the car should be sufficient though.