took my power lead off the battery whilst the car was running and the engine died .
alternator is working . have tried an extra power lead from alt to battery still die,s

Alternator uses battery voltage to control output voltage, disconnecting the battery allows the voltage output to ramp up freely.
High voltage can spike (ie destroy) electronics on the car.

If it's a non ECU carby model, it's probably the ignition coil and/or the power transistor that got spiked.

its efi have change battery whilst car is running many time,s . not on latter model cars but gen1 gen2s with no problems .
drove the car last night for around 3 hours with lights on with no hassles so the alt is charging the battery .

So what is the problem?

car dies when you disconnect the power lead must be a issue some where.

i'd say that there is no problem. either the RE60 regulator has sensed that its output voltage has swung way too high (circa 30V) due to not having the battery to stabilise it, and hence switched off its output. or the computer has sensed the massive over voltage and shut down.
either way on a modern vehicle i'd not make it a habit to disconnect the battery with the engine running, unless you dont mind replacing the odd alternator, ecu, or whatever else blows up.

Im confused, changing the battery while the car is running, regardless of what it saves you doing (eg: putting in the radio code) it is extremely dangerous.

not to mention just stoopid and asking for trouble.

Seen it done a few times but definatley not a recomended practice for all the above reasons.
Mainly seen it done by owners wanting to start on a good battery and then swap out a battery that needs charging when you have no jumper leads and then driving for an hour or so to sort that out. Bound to keep auto electricians in business i reckon. Vee

i believe the problem came from the previous owner putting the battery in backwards and frying the fusible link then me taking the power lead off whilst the car is running

took my power lead off the battery whilst the car was running and the engine died .
alternator is working . have tried an extra power lead from alt to battery still die,s

Same thing happened to my TP yesterday.
is engine shuts out after removing positive lead, either alternator is gone,fusible link is gone or the regulator on the back of the alt is gone.

check voltage on dash

if it holds over 12v at idle
drops below 12 with high beam
moves towards 13v with the lights on its all good.

if not, regulator is cactus, in which case its easier to pay $50-$60 for another alternator from wreckers.
Just make sure you get a TP Alternator (NOT A TM!, They are different)

(if the wreckers dont have one, you can use a EA Falcon Alternator and just swap the pulley)

SOURCE: Did the same thing to my TP this morning


EDIT: seeing as you tried an extra lead from alt to battery, its probably a fusible link)

lol
Same thing happened to my TP yesterday.
is engine shuts out after removing positive lead, either alternator is gone,fusible link is gone or the regulator on the back of the alt is gone.

check voltage on dash

if it holds over 12v at idle
drops below 12 with high beam
moves towards 13v with the lights on its all good.

if not, regulator is cactus, in which case its easier to pay $50-$60 for another alternator from wreckers.
Just make sure you get a TP Alternator (NOT A TM!, They are different)

(if the wreckers dont have one, you can use a EA Falcon Alternator and just swap the pulley)

SOURCE: Did the same thing to my TP this morning


EDIT: seeing as you tried an extra lead from alt to battery, its probably a fusible link)
i have changed the alt regulator run a fused wire straight from alt to battery changed the bushes going to my autolec sunday to get it sorted. if you ever need a alternator let me know i have heaps.lol