Alternator upgrade wiring help
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: IL
Alternator upgrade wiring help
Hello everyone,
I have finally given up on my 84's alternator, an well it also gave up on me. So with the passing of my alternator, I decided I would like to replace and also upgrade whole im at it. After some reading I decided to go with a Cadillac 140 amp alternator. The only two things I can't seem to find the soild answers to are...
What two cables from the new four cable connector do I solder onto my existing two cables that currently connect to my old alternators connector?
Second (an I'm almost dire the answer in no) do I need a need a resisters when I solder this in?
thanks for the help.
I have finally given up on my 84's alternator, an well it also gave up on me. So with the passing of my alternator, I decided I would like to replace and also upgrade whole im at it. After some reading I decided to go with a Cadillac 140 amp alternator. The only two things I can't seem to find the soild answers to are...
What two cables from the new four cable connector do I solder onto my existing two cables that currently connect to my old alternators connector?
Second (an I'm almost dire the answer in no) do I need a need a resisters when I solder this in?
thanks for the help.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
Likes: 2,735
What is the part number of your new alternator? How are the terminals on the alternator ID'd.
Maybe post a snapshot of the alternator pinning noting terminal ID. I don't believe all CS144 are the same.
I'm also quite sure there's an adapter for the 17SI to most CS144.
Maybe post a snapshot of the alternator pinning noting terminal ID. I don't believe all CS144 are the same.
I'm also quite sure there's an adapter for the 17SI to most CS144.
Last edited by WVZR-1; May 27, 2018 at 07:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: IL
More pictures
Basically I'm trying to make this https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-alternator-adapter-wiring-harness-1969-1986.html but I rather solder the new harness directly into the car. I just need to know what two cables will be soldered in, and if I need a resistor in line for an 84.
Thanks for the help.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
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I'm quite sure that you do need the resistor and I thought I had seen the entire install covered in a single thread earlier but I can't find it. I did though stumble upon some interesting reading that I hadn't seen in years. The last section of this CAC covers much about a 17SI change to the CS144.
What I recalled about the install is covered there quite thoroughly and I think a 'good read' for you. 1st thing I noticed from your snapshots was the pulley and this I thought you needed to confirm also.
The brace required for the CS144 that you bought is very straight forward on the L83 vs others. There's actually a video in the C4 section showing the brace.
Decide yourself the value of the information in this CAC information link. There's a procedure mentioned to determine the resistance required.
https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...red_parts.html
A CS144 search in the C4 section will get you much reading. Some is a tougher read than others.
What I recalled about the install is covered there quite thoroughly and I think a 'good read' for you. 1st thing I noticed from your snapshots was the pulley and this I thought you needed to confirm also.
The brace required for the CS144 that you bought is very straight forward on the L83 vs others. There's actually a video in the C4 section showing the brace.
Decide yourself the value of the information in this CAC information link. There's a procedure mentioned to determine the resistance required.
https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...red_parts.html
A CS144 search in the C4 section will get you much reading. Some is a tougher read than others.
Last edited by WVZR-1; May 27, 2018 at 06:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
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And to WVZR, I DO know what I'm talking about. I've forgotten more about these alternators, their regulators, and how to hook them up than any of the people on CAC or anywhere else combined do. You constantly contradict me rather than research and verify or discount what I write. It gets old.
You don't need a resistor with a CS-series alternator if you use the factory indicator circuit on the L terminal, or the I terminal to a switched ignition source.
Is the FSM wrong? I don't think so.
***Your '85 I doubt has a 'charge indicator bulb' either.
I did leave out wording I meant to include, I meant to add maybe 'increased resistance' and a different type. I did look at the '84 FSM before commenting. I did research this and it seems that most often a 100Ω 2watt resistor or greater is added. It seems to matter whose wiring schematic you reference. Many CS144 custom wiring schematics also mention using 'both' the charging indicator(bulb) and a resistor,
I'm contradicting 'NO ONE'. I'm suggesting a read and more research to the OP. I'm also not declaring Halverson's writing as 'GOSPEL' but interesting reading.
Last edited by WVZR-1; May 28, 2018 at 09:39 AM.
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Team Owner
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OP - first hand i know that not all CS144 fans, pulleys and spacers are the same. You need to confirm diameters of the actual belt surface, the pitch of of the pulley and you may need to swap yours, choose a different spacer or maybe just use a different length belt. This is the reason I asked you to post additional information. Serpentine alignment and belt length required is very important to charging.
Regarding wiring - I'll leave it at 'research' yourself. It's often thought/mentioned that a 194 bulb to L on the 4 wire connector will work. Is it 'optimal'? No idea.
Were I doing it I'd talk to an alternator shop here I've had a relationship with for 20+ years. I was taught that if you're making changes you 'optimize' the work. Might generally isn't considered. I've seen 'optimal' resistance mentioned for CS144 but I couldn't put my hands on it quickly!!
CS144 search in the C4 section alone yields a few 100 results.
Good luck!!
If you stumble upon some interesting research post back.
Regarding wiring - I'll leave it at 'research' yourself. It's often thought/mentioned that a 194 bulb to L on the 4 wire connector will work. Is it 'optimal'? No idea.
Were I doing it I'd talk to an alternator shop here I've had a relationship with for 20+ years. I was taught that if you're making changes you 'optimize' the work. Might generally isn't considered. I've seen 'optimal' resistance mentioned for CS144 but I couldn't put my hands on it quickly!!
CS144 search in the C4 section alone yields a few 100 results.
Good luck!!
If you stumble upon some interesting research post back.
Last edited by WVZR-1; May 28, 2018 at 03:25 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Mission Viejo CA
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: IL
Wow... A ton of information
I'm blown away buy the amount of information this thread has generated. There seems to be a lot to this swap, a bit more then I expected. So I'm going to re-read everything on here once more and also do a bit more reading of my own to double check everything. I plan to start this swap soon (Wednesday - Thursday) I will report back with anything I find and some pictures of the final install if everything goes well, since now I'm a bit nervous about this swap.
Thanks again...
Thanks again...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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A couple interesting reads that can maybe confuse more OR maybe not! See post #5 in the 1st
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...onto-a-c4.html
This one was a rather difficult read!!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-upgrade.html
Don't be so concerned about the pulley, fan etc. Just be aware you do need to confirm many things.
Do your own research regarding the harness. I just thought these interesting. Use as a learning experience.
Somewhere years ago I saw a comment made that the CS144 liked to see increased resistance.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...onto-a-c4.html
This one was a rather difficult read!!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-upgrade.html
Don't be so concerned about the pulley, fan etc. Just be aware you do need to confirm many things.
Do your own research regarding the harness. I just thought these interesting. Use as a learning experience.
Somewhere years ago I saw a comment made that the CS144 liked to see increased resistance.