Sad but true...
I converted to an internally-regulated alternator a
LONG time ago and used an American Autowire conversion plug at the external regulator connector to maintain the GEN light function.
I never had the engine running until last fall and never saw the GEN light come on, so I assumed all was well at the time.
Fast forward to making progress on getting car drivable and discovered the battery was not getting charged.
I first confirmed battery voltage was reaching the BAT terminal, so the connector at the starter was good. This made me happy because I didn't have to crawl under the car to look for that mistake.
I then verified the alternator ground was solid.
Pulled the adapter plug off the regulator connector and verified 12V was reaching the brown wire when the ignition switch was "ON".
When I went to put the adapter plug back on, I happened to look inside and found this:
DOH!
When I last put that adapter plug on, the two center terminals had been pushed sideways and failed to mate with the terminals in the connector. The housing is rubber, which didn't help, but still on me...
Happy ending - I plugged the adapter in as it was designed and all is well!
Easiest fix ever, but perhaps one of the most humiliating...
And to make it worse, I never noticed the GEN light wasn't coming on when the switch was turned to ON position.
Double DOH!
.................................................. ........................
Mike