So last week my starter gave out..I took the starter off and noticed it wasnt the stock one..so I remembered reading about upgrading to a 1993 mustang gt starter..so I went and bought one for the mustang and it fit perfect right on and the wiring was already wired for that type of starter..So the next day my alternator decides to go out (or at least i thought it went out) So I took my alternator off and I took it to O'Reillys and they test it and said it was holding charge..So I was going to buy a new one and once again I found out the alternator wasnt stock ..So the gu and the I were looking at all the possible matches for tha alternator and nothing matched up...After 20 mins or so it popped into my head to look at a 1993 Mustang Gt alternator and BAM! it matched up..it was the same kind of alternator I had in my car...the only thing that was different was the pulley so we took the old pulley of my old alternator and put it on the new one..Also they gave me a different style of my belt as mine used to be a straight kind of belt and the one they gave me has teeth or lil grooves in it..They seem to be the same length and width would that matter???So I came back home and installed the alternator and new belt and the car still wouldnt hold charge...So it then occured to me to check the lil voltage regulator on the side (if thats what you call it) and i noticed that there was one wire burnt up all the way and it was bearly making contact..So i put electrical tape on it and my car finally stayed on..I ve been driving like that since saturday so I need to change out that wire soon.... -So Im wondering if im okay staying with this alternator and I'm also wondering why would they change the starter and alternator to a newer model..Does it put out more amps? -Another thing I forgot too mention is I have a loud sound system in my car and I notice whenever I put up the volume my voltage drops from 15 to 12 always..it also drops voltage when I put the car in reverse or turn on my turn signals or hazard lights..One of my friends was telling me to add a capacitor for my sound system as well as upgrading all my power wires and alternator wires to 0/1 gage..What else could cause the voltage drop ?? I also changed out my battery from a red top optima to an odyssey which was a lot bigger and barely fit on my battery tray..It sat in perfect on on side but it sat on top of the tray on the other side but the battery does not move at all so Im wondering if anyone knows if I'm better of with a RedTop Optima Or an Odyssey battery.And if its okay to leave that battery in there although it doesnt sit in there perfectly? Heres a picture of the old belt and new belt and my alternator Heres pictures of the wire thats burnt And last but not least pictures of my battery
wow thanks for the pictures. Heck I should take my starter back in and swap for a 93 mustang if there is a reason for it.
Red Top Optima... get the most CC amps for the space you have...(that fits). I'm, a little Leary of a battery that comes with a handle for easy removal...if it's going to be in there for years, why a handle... see if you can get a better wiring harness for that section...(parts wanted section)... ...once a wire burns, it is of little use...
Did the wire that burnt have a fat, rubbery end on it before the eyelet? It looks to be the fuse-able link wire for the alternator output. It must be replaced if it is burnt. It may also now be under rated if you have an alternator output that exceeds the factory rating. Also, the burnt wire is located next to the starter solenoid. The voltage regulator is on the back of the alternator. Someone has changed the charging system in your car, as the factory voltage regulators were external to the alternator and mounted on the forward face of the passenger shock tower.
Ok you have what is known as a 2G alternator on your car. They put out 85 amps from the factory and are decent alternators. Now to be up front and honest they do have a bad rap. It is somewhat unmerited because they ran thousands and thousands of these on cars, trucks, minivans whatever for almost a decade but the people that scream the loudest are the ones that get the most attention. So knowing that the bad rap came from people running allot of electrical accesories like a high performance ignition, a big stereo and a couple amps, all while running fuel injection with a higher volume fuel pump and larger injectors then you can easily push the alternator past its intended amperage. The problem with this is the alternators can overheat and cause an engine fire. Now this can happen to about any alternator, it just became a hot topic(pun intended) as the popularity of the 5.0 mustangs grew because people were constantly modifying those cars and quickly the power required from the rest of the car was greater then the alternator could muster. You are going to need to repair your wiring harness and I would recommend putting either a inline mega fuze rated about 85 amps or a circut breaker inline so the alternator wont exceed its limit and all the factory smoke gets left out of the unit. As long as you dont add too many power sucking do dads they work great but as a bonus the 3G is a very easy upgrade from the 2G setup.
Ok now between a red top optima and yellow top..what would you go with? And what kind of wiring hareness are you speaking about?
You have a larger than factory alternator and need to install larger fused wire. Also you need to secure your battery. With something more than a bunjee cord.
I didnt check if it had a rubbery end on it..Ill check later on...And so to get that fuse able link wire to match the alternator what would I have to do?
Your battery is superior to the optima junk in every way aside from size/weight. I have used the group 31 version in 30kw continuous stereo systems with no issue. They last the longest out of ANY battery I have ever used. Keep the battery, IF anything relocate it to the rear of the vehicle and secure/fuse it!
Got it Believe it or not that battery is real secure in there...I tried moving it any way possible and I cant..its pretty much stuck in there..But considering whaty I just read I might just go back with my optima
I need room in the trunk though I have a pretty big subwoofer ported box ...Ill take pics of my trunk later on
Ok so what does 2G and 3G mean?Is it second generation?And if i was to go ask for one at the parts store what do I ask for?As far as my alternator belt am I fine with the one I have? Also at what voltage should my car be running at when the car is running?mine stays around 13-14.5 and it drops to 12 every time I put the turn signals or go on reverse..What is this due to? And if I were to install the inline fuse or circuit breaker to the alternator where would it go?I kind of got the basics of a charging system down but I'm still learning so sorry if I'm asking too many questions?
