1st Generation Specific 1979-1985 Discussion

2nd Gen Alternator On A '79?

Old Feb 16, 2005 | 08:22 AM
  #1  
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I did it, and it works but i'm having a problem... either the battery isn't charging or it's draining... either way i'm going to get a new battery and get two alternators tested to be sure to use the best one...



now as far as wiring goes?... should it still run through the '79s regulator or should i just run a new wire directly to the battery? also i checked both wiring diagrams to wire the plug in, eliminated one of the 3 wires to use the 2nd gens 2 wire plug... one is switched and the other is for the dash light, my question is does anything else need to be done for this work correctly...



Thanks

Shay
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 08:27 AM
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Is it s4 or s5?
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 01:08 PM
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Sorry it's a '86 alternator, also i just went and had them checked the one that was on it had a short so i put the other good one i had on it... so the problem should be fixed... but the alternator was putting out around 20 volts... is that too much?
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 01:23 PM
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Also one more thing to include... i'm getting around 15 amps with the car off and around 33-42 with it running... is that too much?... since the alternator has the internal regulator and the wiring still runs through the external regulator is this an issue?...



If i need to rewire please let me me know how this can be done, i'd really like to be able to use the '86 alternator...



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Shay
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 02:04 PM
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It seems like your wiring is wrong. You don't want to run it though the external regulator. Read this thread, it will tell you how to do the wiring:



http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=369140



The '86 alt that you have is wired in the same way that the '83 alt in the thread is wired. You need to fix this problem or you are going to damage the battery and other electrical portions of the car from the overvoltage condition. The alt output should be aound 13.8 to 14.5 volts.



Kent
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 04:23 PM
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OKAY bypassed the external regulator but i'm still getting 16.5-19.5 volts at both the alternator and battery with it running.... but when it's tested at the parts store it ready 15 volts... what now?....
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 05:33 PM
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First, check the voltage at the 'R' terminal on the alt with the engine off (the top portion of the two pin plug (horizontal)). This wire should see battery voltage with the key on and 0 volts with it off. The other terminal is just for the warning light.



Check the voltage drop for the batt + to the alt output post to see if there is a problem with that wire.



It is also important that the alt is grounded good. It is grounded through its body. Make sure that you have a good ground connection from the alt to the engine to the chassis to the batt - terminal.
Old Feb 17, 2005 | 10:06 AM
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your voltage should be pinned at somewhere between 13.9-14.5, shouldnt be fluctuating, and you should get more amperage than that.



i just got done replacing a faulty alternator in my car, and the voltage fluctuated from anywhere between 13.1-over 15.9 (pfc dont read any higher) and the cause was the internals of the alternator was pretty much toasted. and i was getting about 30-40 amps on a 100amp fd alternator.
Old Feb 17, 2005 | 10:42 AM
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a second opinion always helps... i took it in and had it tested on a really expensive machine and it checked out perfect....
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