I have a 1985 Dodge D150 Pickup with a 318 engine. I had the alternator loose and the hot wire shorted against the exhaust manifold and smoke came from the wiring harness on top of the fender in the engine compartment on the driver side. Now the alternator is not charging I had the alternator and the regulator tested and they both tested good. How can I find what is keeping the alternator from charging.
Thanks
speckman

Well, to me it sounds like a wire has burned somewhere. Follow the wire from the alternator to the battery, and hopefully you will find something.

Found the problem with the wiring. When the hot wire grounded out against the manifold it burned one of the fuseible links in the harness. Repaired this and all is well.
Thanks
speckman

I also have an 85 Ram with the 5.2 liter in it, and I'm having the same problem. I just purchased the truck and the alternator and voltage regulator look pretty new, I found a wire atop the drivers side wheel well that plugs into a socket that has three other wires, if you put the wire back in it it glows and burns out but I get juice back to the battery, I just wanted to know where exactly was the fusible link in the harness you speak of, is it the main harness running across on top of the firewall?Do I have to tear it apart?