Alternator issue?
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
Alternator issue?
Ok I have a 83 f100 with the 5.0 V8....first started off with a dead battery so went to advanced had the battery checked and it was bad....replaced the battery truck was fine for about two days and battery was dead again....so switched out the alternator with a reman from advance auto and when I started up the truck the battery light was on....but the battery on the charger to make sure it had a good charge and still have the light.....went the other day for a short trip and when I went to start the truck back up there wasn't enough juice to get it to turn over and needed a jump....I'm wondering if I put the wires on backwards on the alternator or did I miss something, any ideas would be helpful
Bryan
Bryan
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From: Wagener, SC
(old pic guys. Cables have been replaced, starter rewired correctly)
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From: Northeast, OK
I'm thinking we should always (usually?) replace the regulator when replacing the alternator. My alternator went out some time ago and I bought a new one. It had a sticker on it saying "Always replace the regulator when replacing the alternator." I thought "yeah, right" and installed the alternator - but it didn't work. Sure enough, the regulator was bad as well.
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From: Northeast, OK
Apparently it fried the regulator when it failed as I can't imagine the regulator doing such mechanical damage to the alternator.
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From: Northeast, OK
Seriously, the 1G alternator on Dad's truck seems to be doing well. If it were a 2G then I'd have a good reason to change. Or, if I had some accessory that took electricity. But, the way it is the little 65 amp alternator does the job.
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
ok would like some more details on the 3g setup....i am running a sub and amp so a little more would be good....what all am i scraping and what exactly and im putting in?
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
You get the 130A internally regulated alternator from a mid '90's Taurus/Sable/Lincoln.
These cars had electric fans that need a lot of current.
http://oldfuelinjection.com/?p=75
The one you want has two holes between the three sets of paired ribs on the front.
There are a couple of mounting variations, so choose the style that fits your truck.
Then you need a large charging cable and fuse holder, plus the 3G's pigtail.
The stock alternator in your truck only puts out 65A, the wiring in your truck can't handle twice that much current.
Be prepared to lose the ammeter, if you have one. It can't handle it either.
You can buy a conversion kit from RJM if you like, or try and do it yourself.
There are MANY threads on the "3G swap"
RJM Injection Tech — 3G Alternator Harness
RJM Injection Tech — Alternator Charge Cable Kit
These cars had electric fans that need a lot of current.
http://oldfuelinjection.com/?p=75
The one you want has two holes between the three sets of paired ribs on the front.
There are a couple of mounting variations, so choose the style that fits your truck.
Then you need a large charging cable and fuse holder, plus the 3G's pigtail.
The stock alternator in your truck only puts out 65A, the wiring in your truck can't handle twice that much current.
Be prepared to lose the ammeter, if you have one. It can't handle it either.
You can buy a conversion kit from RJM if you like, or try and do it yourself.
There are MANY threads on the "3G swap"
RJM Injection Tech — 3G Alternator Harness
RJM Injection Tech — Alternator Charge Cable Kit
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
Here is some more info on doing the swap plus a longer list of donor cars/trucks. This mod is extremely simple and it may very well work for you as a direct swap with no mods needed.
3G alternator FACTS (its wins agian!) - FSB Forums
Most people run bigger positive and negative cables for the upgrade too.
3G alternator FACTS (its wins agian!) - FSB Forums
Most people run bigger positive and negative cables for the upgrade too.