FormulaEngland

I believe my alternator has failed so I am going to look into replacing it.

The installation videos I've seen along with the description in the Haynes manual all show the alternator located on the passenger side of the engine, whereas mine is on the driver's side.

Is there a specific post-1988 alternator I need to buy or are they all the same?


EDIT: also does it have a voltage regulator or are they separate from the unit?

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

You have no external regulator , in fact , General Motors was the first to put the regulator inside the Alternator as I recall . My 1970s GM cars always had it internal , and my 1970 Ford Mustang , for example , had it as a separate unit .

Has proper troubleshooting proven your Alternator to be failed for certain ? I'd imagine it's a fairly expensive item in England , to get an Alternator for an American car .

PS , Pictures would help people to be able to determine what will fit your car .

FormulaEngland

Thanks.


Yes the alternator has indeed failed. I've had it checked twice now and we believe the regulator itself has killed it.
They are easy to obtain over here, plenty of companies sell these sorts of parts albeit a touch expensive, should be around £200 or so ($270 at current post referendum exchange rate)


I know it's the 108Amp unit if that helps? I can't post photos as I'm currently at work.

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

Does anyone around you still work on electrical stuff? Usually an older guy in an old shop. It's usually just a resistor or something in the regulator. Could be WAY cheaper... Just a thought

paulo57509

I would get an alternator per application; i.e., specific to your year, make and model.

While alternators of this vintage are the same, the differences are with how the case of the alternator is "clocked". The mounting points and connectors may be in a different position than the one you're replacing. The other difference may be the diameter of the pulley. In extreme cases this may cause fan belt circumference and voltage output issues.

This isn't too big of a deal; you can partially disassemble the case halves and clock them the way you need them. The only issues here are related to the warranty and the need to find a skewer or similar tool to pass through the brush holder to keep the brushes in place while you mate the halves back together.

You can always swap the pulleys if there's a size difference.

mdtoren

Your asbsolute best bet is to take your current alt to a parts shop and compare it before you get it to be sure. When I was looking for my alternator (pass. side alternator here) I was told on here that GM put something like 18 different models of alternator in these cars - cant confirm, just what i was told. I went through 3 from Jegs before getting one that was "useable" but not an exact fit..since it was cruise night season, I went with it. Next time Id just go to autozone with it and compare until i got the right one.

FormulaEngland

Thanks for the replies guys!


We ordered the alternator which looks all new and shiny, it's the same sort of alternator which we ordered from a fairly big US car part importer based over here. Anyways it's now been fitted and the cars running as she should do.


Must admit it did take us a while to figure out how to slacken the engine belt.