1992 E350 Alternator help!!!!!

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Jul 6, 2005 | 12:18 PM

FoMoColover

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From: Mississippi

1992 E350 Alternator help!!!!!

I need some assistance with identifying the alternator on my 1992 E350 with a 460 engine. I do know that the van is equipped with the 130 amp or higher alternator. From the pictures that I have seen online it looks nothing like the Motorcraft 130amp unit of that era. The problem I am having with it is when you turn on the front and rear air (this is a bus with a heavy duty split system a/c) the alternator belt starts squealing. The tension on the belt is correct and the a/c compressors are fine. It has just started doing this. When it does this the voltage guage goes way down and when you turn all the electrical accessories off it will quit. It will even do it running the factory unit if you turn on the headlights. I hate to pull the alternator without knowing what I have. I intend to purchase the parts to rebuild it but knowing what I haave would be great. Any of you guys ever had such a problem?

Thank You,
Aaron

Jul 6, 2005 | 01:05 PM

ColonyPark

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Does your van have a serpentine belt or a V belt? How do you know the belt tension is ok?

This really doesn't sound like an alternator problem to me. When you're cutting the electrical devices off to fix the squeal, you're reducing the load on the alternator. The alternator is supposed to get harder for the belt to turn when it has a lot of load on it. For that reason, and since the alternator is putting out sufficient amperage to power the load placed upon it, I'd be more apt to think that the tensioner is not tight enough. I know that on my 1990 van with the 100 amp alternator the tensioner puts a lot of pressure on the belt. to keep it from slipping

Jul 7, 2005 | 08:23 AM

reno94

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From: MN

Just had the same problem on a 97 with a v10 and it was the tensioner.

Jul 7, 2005 | 09:41 AM

FoMoColover

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From: Mississippi

Ok, I managed a little time yesterday to get out and check the van. Found that the belt was in good condition far as cracks but was glazed badly. By the way, this van has a serpentine belt but a manual tensioner. Replaced the belt with a Goodyear Gatorback and no more problem. I still want to know what kind of alternator is on here. I got a better look at it yesterday and it has a large post on the side for the positive terminal and another large post for a ground cable. Both cables are #2 are better cables. I cannot see the backside of the alternator but it does not appear to have any wires coming from the rear. Between the two posts there is a two wire plug going into the alternator. Hope someone has the same.......... thank you guys for the input.

Aaron

Jul 7, 2005 | 11:36 AM

ColonyPark

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I know 2 things to tell you. Ford did install a 130 Amp alternator in 1990. It was not a normal alternator, ie, it was supplied by someone other than motorcraft, and not a part normally found on a Ford. I'd guess the same is true for 1992.

Secondly, since you have a bus conversion, the alternator may actually have been swapped by the converter/bus company. Take your van to a truck parts house and they'll probably recognize it by sight.