I have an 89 escort 1.9L with a 4 speed manual that I am having some weird charging issues with. It isn't charging at all. I have replaced the alternator and battery, and cleaned up all the connections. I checked all the fuses under the dash and all are well. I have tried every combination of battery and alternator. To the best of my knowledge there is a little wire that goes to the Alternator that when there is the 12v source to it, it says to tell the alternator to charge. I believe this wire to be a little white one with a black stripe. I don't have 12v going to this wire, or is it a ground?

This has really got me puzzled. Anyone have any help?

 

Check for a fusable link on the output wire going from the alternator to the battery (probably connected at the starter solenoid, but I'm not familiar with that vehicle). A fusable link will look like a pregnant spot on the wire (its a molded in piece of wire that is one or two gauges smaller than the rest of the wire).