Code 41

[Silverbullet]

I know this is not a turbo dodge question, but a dodge question all the same.
My 95 dodge dakota has a code 41 "Alternator field control circuit open or shorted" and keep draining the battery. So I did the engine running and pulled off the battery cable test and the engine stopped. So I believed that to be the altenator. Went and install a brand new altenator and still have the same problem. Engine will stop when I pull off the ground cable, and still draining the battery.
My question is what else could this be..........? Is there some other electrical component that I need to check.....?
On the bright side, the 86 GLHT is running strong.
Thanks guys.

[DaPepster!]

When I bought my first Spirit R/T, it kept coming with a code 41 whenever I tried to start it. It turns out that the alternator was replaced at one point and the field driver's electrical contacts were not tightened down on the alternator very tight upon reinstall, and that led to corrosion buildup on the terminals. I cleaned the terminal connectors on the wiring part that hooks up to the alternator and the car never repeated code 41 from that point on.

Basically, code 41 tells you that the computer is not recieving voltage through the dark green wire coming from the alternator's field control to terminal 20 on the 60-way connector of the PCM. Just check continuity between the terminal on the alternator connector and terminal 20 on the PCM connector and clean any correded contacts and tighten any loose connections. If all that is cool, then your internal voltage regulator in the alternator is toast (sounds unlikely though; I understand you've installed a new one, but a dead alternator brand new is VERY possible). I'm kinda surprised that computer hasn't thrown code 47 as well if you say it's killing your battery....