Alternator Wiring.

I have a 1993 four winns freedom 180 with the OMC Cobra 4.3l V6. I had the alternator checked and was told it was bad. I bought a replacement and thought I had all the wires connected correctly but it is not getting excited unless I start the motor and then run a piece of wire from the positive battery terminal and just touch it to the light indicator terminal on the back of the alternator. Only then will it start giving me over 14 volts and start charging the battery. Im hoping someone can tell me how to wire this thing correctly. Tried posting pics but not sure how. I'll try to post pics tomorrow.

If it worked before it went bad and you replaced it then:
you bought the incorrect alt
you wired it incorrectly and have the sense and excite wires are reversed

You must have the indicator light connected or it won't work. The bulb cannot be LED, has to be incandescent (filament) bulb.