I am at the wrecking yard as we speak and I need an alternator because mine is acting up. The only Mark out here is a 97 and mine is a 95. Do they interchange? BTW tried to use the search feature but I am in the middle of the desert right now and its taking too long.
Quick Alternator Question
- Thread starter tmackviii
- Start date
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
yes. it will interchange.
the plug is in a different location, but there is enough wire to make it work.
plus, the 2nd gen alts are a little better anyway.
grab it.
the plug is in a different location, but there is enough wire to make it work.
plus, the 2nd gen alts are a little better anyway.
grab it.
The harness plug is like an inch further to the left on the 96 (or 97)+ alternators. It'll reach, but you might have to do what I did and break those plastic zip tie things that hold the wiring running across the engine in place to get enough slack.
Right on the Mark
Dedicated LVC Member
X2 I have a Gen2 alt in my 93.
Thanks guys its installed. The problem Ive had since I bought the car was the battery light staying on at idle. When I goosed it the light would dim out. Last night the light came on and stayed on. Nothing on the message center though. Everything seems okay so far. The battery is seeing a little over 14 volts at idle and with the car off the battery voltage now reads 12.62 up from 12.4. Its a Ford unit...used but I have more confidence in this one vs a reman one from my old job. It got to the point where I wouldnt even test them anymore. The look on people's faces said enough.
Right on the Mark
Dedicated LVC Member
I too would rather have a used Ford one then a rebuilt for sure.
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
Whoa wait a minute I thought the first gens have a three wire plug and 2nd are 2 wire plug. I was going to give my cousin my old one for his first gen 95 and the plug was 3 wire on his... So it'll still work?
Right on the Mark
Dedicated LVC Member
You have many right on here saying they have a gen2 alt on there gen1 including me. So...
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
I understand what I'm reading but I just don't get how it would work if the plug is a 3 wire pluging into 2 prongs. But whatever.
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
2 wire? no...
technically the center wire terminates in the harness. only the outside two wires go anywhere. but all three are there.
but they both fit in both generations. they just changed up the case design a little.
technically the center wire terminates in the harness. only the outside two wires go anywhere. but all three are there.
but they both fit in both generations. they just changed up the case design a little.
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
i also have a 2nd gen alt in my 93. been there for years.
they all have this connector. both generations.
and the positive battery wire on the alternator.
they all have this connector. both generations.
and the positive battery wire on the alternator.
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
Yeah mine only has the 2 wires coming off the plug.
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
uh huh. can we get a pic?
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
Ok I just went out and check I have 3 prongs and only 2 wires coming off my plug but it is that plug though.
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
I'll try to post
Right on the Mark
Dedicated LVC Member
How exactly does the posi-trac rear end on a Plymouth work?
-It just does. -It just does.
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
Ok how the hell do I post pics again?
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
the "Insert Image" button.
its like 4 buttons over from the smiley face on top of the reply box.
its like 4 buttons over from the smiley face on top of the reply box.
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
oh i see. yep.
remember when i said the three wire plug only uses the outside two wires? ford just didn't add that center wire. they must have dropped it from the harness at some point.
its still the same basic plug.
remember when i said the three wire plug only uses the outside two wires? ford just didn't add that center wire. they must have dropped it from the harness at some point.
its still the same basic plug.
1sik32valve
Active LVC Member
Gotcha and that's why I was tripping out off it.
Markviiiedrea
Speed Bump
I would keep the old you if you can and have it rebuilt, always a better option to rebuild a Motorcraft one then the china aftermarket one. Keep it in your trunk as a spare since there just a 10 minute job to replace.
Also when you get some time do a search (using the LVC/Google search function) for the “Big 3”. That and a good alternator will eliminate some future electrical problems.