1989 corvette alternator
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 768
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
1989 corvette alternator
Does anyone know where I can get an alternator for my 1989 corvette for a decent price that is new? Or are the remanufactured ones as good as new ones, I know they used to be crap.
Also does anyone know where I can buy the red cable on the back of the alternator? I want to replace it and can not find it anywhere for some reason. Maybe I'm just overlooking it.
If anyone can point me in the right direction then that would be great.
Thanks, Stephen
Also does anyone know where I can buy the red cable on the back of the alternator? I want to replace it and can not find it anywhere for some reason. Maybe I'm just overlooking it.
If anyone can point me in the right direction then that would be great.
Thanks, Stephen
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
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From: Anaheim CA
That model alternator was discontinued years ago, so there are no new ones left. I'm on my third. The latest one is an O'Reilly's (it was Kragen when I bought it) lifetime warrantee unit and it's been good for about 10 years except for a little glitch I had a couple of years ago with a loose connection.
The red cable is part of a harness so you'll probably have to fabricate something. I think that would be fairly easy, as it appears the red wire goes to the junction block behind the battery.
The red cable is part of a harness so you'll probably have to fabricate something. I think that would be fairly easy, as it appears the red wire goes to the junction block behind the battery.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I took mine to a local armature shop where they disassembled it, I took the case home and polished the case, and they rebuilt the insides.
It's been doing fine for 3 years since then. It puts out 14.2-14.3 Volts (which MAY be 1-2/10ths less than OEM). That won't cause an issue though.
It's been doing fine for 3 years since then. It puts out 14.2-14.3 Volts (which MAY be 1-2/10ths less than OEM). That won't cause an issue though.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
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you can get a NEW replacement assembly from autozone (duralast gold for around $130 or so), lifetime warranty to boot. I put one on my 90 five years ago, and didn't have any issues. my understanding, the new owners are not having any problems either...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
You can get a powermaster alternator on ebay at not a bad price, a whole lot more amps at idle.
I have also come across some poor new alternators, shafts that are too small for the front bearing they last 2 or 3 months till they have worn a large groove in the shaft. Very poor manufacturing quality..
I went to a powermaster alternator been over a year still going strong, the 80 amps at idle prevents the low volts warnings (with a/c lights thermo fans with idle down around 560rpm)
http://www.ebay.com./itm/38051521541...84.m1438.l2649
I have also come across some poor new alternators, shafts that are too small for the front bearing they last 2 or 3 months till they have worn a large groove in the shaft. Very poor manufacturing quality..
I went to a powermaster alternator been over a year still going strong, the 80 amps at idle prevents the low volts warnings (with a/c lights thermo fans with idle down around 560rpm)
http://www.ebay.com./itm/38051521541...84.m1438.l2649
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 768
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
You can get a powermaster alternator on ebay at not a bad price, a whole lot more amps at idle.
I have also come across some poor new alternators, shafts that are too small for the front bearing they last 2 or 3 months till they have worn a large groove in the shaft. Very poor manufacturing quality..
I went to a powermaster alternator been over a year still going strong, the 80 amps at idle prevents the low volts warnings (with a/c lights thermo fans with idle down around 560rpm)
http://www.ebay.com./itm/38051521541...84.m1438.l2649
I have also come across some poor new alternators, shafts that are too small for the front bearing they last 2 or 3 months till they have worn a large groove in the shaft. Very poor manufacturing quality..
I went to a powermaster alternator been over a year still going strong, the 80 amps at idle prevents the low volts warnings (with a/c lights thermo fans with idle down around 560rpm)
http://www.ebay.com./itm/38051521541...84.m1438.l2649
That model alternator was discontinued years ago, so there are no new ones left. I'm on my third. The latest one is an O'Reilly's (it was Kragen when I bought it) lifetime warrantee unit and it's been good for about 10 years except for a little glitch I had a couple of years ago with a loose connection.
The red cable is part of a harness so you'll probably have to fabricate something. I think that would be fairly easy, as it appears the red wire goes to the junction block behind the battery.
The red cable is part of a harness so you'll probably have to fabricate something. I think that would be fairly easy, as it appears the red wire goes to the junction block behind the battery.
I took mine to a local armature shop where they disassembled it, I took the case home and polished the case, and they rebuilt the insides.
It's been doing fine for 3 years since then. It puts out 14.2-14.3 Volts (which MAY be 1-2/10ths less than OEM). That won't cause an issue though.
It's been doing fine for 3 years since then. It puts out 14.2-14.3 Volts (which MAY be 1-2/10ths less than OEM). That won't cause an issue though.
Thanks for all the responses, I really appreciate it. That's why I love this forum.
Thanks, Stephen
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
For what it's worth, there has never been new. All warranties were and are rebuilds. I quit counting at a dozen with three or four on the Dealer. I've been back to NAPA twice in the same day. Vette or Corvette Fever Magazine tested the aftermarket eons ago and found AC Delco
Remans to be the best. The issue is heat and low output with high demand at idle/slow speeds. That discharges the battery so it continues to work hard when it cranks up. Folklore (and maybe it isn't) says not to drive with a discharged or weak battery. Mid America and all the others offered a mini tri-fan arrangement to dissipate heat (it sat in place of the inner fender well) back in the '90's. www.alternatorparts.com has some alternatives but a member tried the "iceberg" model and toasted it within a couple of days.
Remans to be the best. The issue is heat and low output with high demand at idle/slow speeds. That discharges the battery so it continues to work hard when it cranks up. Folklore (and maybe it isn't) says not to drive with a discharged or weak battery. Mid America and all the others offered a mini tri-fan arrangement to dissipate heat (it sat in place of the inner fender well) back in the '90's. www.alternatorparts.com has some alternatives but a member tried the "iceberg" model and toasted it within a couple of days.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 768
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
For what it's worth, there has never been new. All warranties were and are rebuilds. I quit counting at a dozen with three or four on the Dealer. I've been back to NAPA twice in the same day. Vette or Corvette Fever Magazine tested the aftermarket eons ago and found AC Delco
Remans to be the best. The issue is heat and low output with high demand at idle/slow speeds. That discharges the battery so it continues to work hard when it cranks up. Folklore (and maybe it isn't) says not to drive with a discharged or weak battery. Mid America and all the others offered a mini tri-fan arrangement to dissipate heat (it sat in place of the inner fender well) back in the '90's. www.alternatorparts.com has some alternatives but a member tried the "iceberg" model and toasted it within a couple of days.
Remans to be the best. The issue is heat and low output with high demand at idle/slow speeds. That discharges the battery so it continues to work hard when it cranks up. Folklore (and maybe it isn't) says not to drive with a discharged or weak battery. Mid America and all the others offered a mini tri-fan arrangement to dissipate heat (it sat in place of the inner fender well) back in the '90's. www.alternatorparts.com has some alternatives but a member tried the "iceberg" model and toasted it within a couple of days.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 27
From: St James New York
Go with one of the lifetime warrantee rebuilt's most of the major auto retailers offer. It will be the last alternator you'll ever pay for!
I got a lifetime warrantee part from PepBoys and it's lasted 6 years so for w/no problems.
Summit Racings sells replacement alternator cables;
http://www.summitracing.com/search?k...20cable&dds=1;
I got a lifetime warrantee part from PepBoys and it's lasted 6 years so for w/no problems.
Summit Racings sells replacement alternator cables;
http://www.summitracing.com/search?k...20cable&dds=1;
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 768
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Ok, from what everyone has said I have narrowed it down to these 4 alternators. I would like to hear what everyone has to say about them, whether or not you used them and they were either good or bad and other stuff like that.
Autozone Gold Duralast Alternator:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...99_55002_4443_
O'Reilly Ultima Alternator:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1468&ppt=C0330
Advance Auto Parts ToughOne Alternator:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...99%7CL3*15587#
Powermaster Alternator 47803:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-47803
All of these alternators are remanufactured except the PowerMaster Alternator.
Thanks, Stephen
Autozone Gold Duralast Alternator:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...99_55002_4443_
O'Reilly Ultima Alternator:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1468&ppt=C0330
Advance Auto Parts ToughOne Alternator:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...99%7CL3*15587#
Powermaster Alternator 47803:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-47803
All of these alternators are remanufactured except the PowerMaster Alternator.
Thanks, Stephen
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I read there was a rash of bad batteries made a couple years ago. Probably still making the crappy POS.
My battery is the "gold" model from Advanced Auto.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 768
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Mine did that after rebuild. Turned out to be a bad battery I'd purchased. It failed after 18 months and I got a new (free) replacement. Voltage jumped into the 14's with the new battery.
I read there was a rash of bad batteries made a couple years ago. Probably still making the crappy POS.
My battery is the "gold" model from Advanced Auto.
I read there was a rash of bad batteries made a couple years ago. Probably still making the crappy POS.
My battery is the "gold" model from Advanced Auto.
Do you have any opinions on the alternator I narrowed my selection down to?
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I had my battery tested last night and it tested out good and it is only 6 months old max. I guess it could be the battery but I don't think O'Reilly's will take back a battery that tested out good.
Do you have any opinions on the alternator I narrowed my selection down to?
Thanks.
Do you have any opinions on the alternator I narrowed my selection down to?
Thanks.
I don't have an opinion on the "right" alternator. PowerMasters is a great brand....caddy of the bunch probably. Lifetime warranty is good too. Typically, I've had the best luck with O'Reilly's when comparing the three local retailers. (longevity that is)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 768
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
My battery tested "good" a couple of times before it crapped out. It had to be totally run down a couple of times before it died for good. And, you're right, they won't replace it -- until it tests bad.
I don't have an opinion on the "right" alternator. PowerMasters is a great brand....caddy of the bunch probably. Lifetime warranty is good too. Typically, I've had the best luck with O'Reilly's when comparing the three local retailers. (longevity that is)
I don't have an opinion on the "right" alternator. PowerMasters is a great brand....caddy of the bunch probably. Lifetime warranty is good too. Typically, I've had the best luck with O'Reilly's when comparing the three local retailers. (longevity that is)
What kind of alternator do you have currently?
Also thanks for the help.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
What volts does that alternator charge at? Is it higher, lower, or the same as oem? Sorry, I am not very familiar with alternators. Mine right now is charging at highway speeds of like 13.2 to 13.5 but also sometimes drops to the low to mid 12's.
So I can not buy the red cable at all, I have to fabricate one on my own? IF so I might take it somewhere, because that cable looks like it is crazily routed and I don't feel like messing with it haha. Also O'Reilly's alternators are now made by Ultima.
I got that cable with the rubber boot to cover it for about 15 from summit its also thicker for higher amperage its a painless product
My alternator is not the original but I do think it is a the original type used. It was put in 10 years ago or so from what I was told. Also what amps at idle and highways speeds does your rebuilt alternator put out?
Thanks for all the responses, I really appreciate it. That's why I love this forum.
Thanks, Stephen
So I can not buy the red cable at all, I have to fabricate one on my own? IF so I might take it somewhere, because that cable looks like it is crazily routed and I don't feel like messing with it haha. Also O'Reilly's alternators are now made by Ultima.
I got that cable with the rubber boot to cover it for about 15 from summit its also thicker for higher amperage its a painless product
My alternator is not the original but I do think it is a the original type used. It was put in 10 years ago or so from what I was told. Also what amps at idle and highways speeds does your rebuilt alternator put out?
Thanks for all the responses, I really appreciate it. That's why I love this forum.
Thanks, Stephen
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 768
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
Ok, from what everyone has said I have narrowed it down to these 4 alternators. I would like to hear what everyone has to say about them, whether or not you used them and they were either good or bad and other stuff like that.
Autozone Gold Duralast Alternator:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...99_55002_4443_
O'Reilly Ultima Alternator:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1468&ppt=C0330
Advance Auto Parts ToughOne Alternator:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...99%7CL3*15587#
Powermaster Alternator 47803:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-47803
All of these alternators are remanufactured except the PowerMaster Alternator.
Thanks, Stephen
Autozone Gold Duralast Alternator:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...99_55002_4443_
O'Reilly Ultima Alternator:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1468&ppt=C0330
Advance Auto Parts ToughOne Alternator:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...99%7CL3*15587#
Powermaster Alternator 47803:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-47803
All of these alternators are remanufactured except the PowerMaster Alternator.
Thanks, Stephen