Mini alternator questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 12
From: Amarillo, TX
Mini alternator questions
Hello how's it going! Does anyone know of a mini alternator that works with the c5 pcm?
The reason I ask is because I currently have a Mexico reman alternator (autozone special) that I put in a few months ago, and every time I start the car I get the "charge system fault" message on the dic. It appears that the battery will not charge unless I give the throttle a quick blip above 2200-2500 rpms. I tested this by going for a drive and shifting before 2000rpms, and it drained the battery. A quick jump start and rev to 2500, and it charges perfectly (dic message always goes away on its own).
A stock alternator is out of the question because it won't fit with my Tt kit that I will be doing over the winter. I know the ptk kits use a mini alternator but I couldn't don't any info on which one most people use, and more importantly if I will still have the same issue? If I still will have the same issue, I plan on running a ford alternator in the ac location to save a few bucks.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
The reason I ask is because I currently have a Mexico reman alternator (autozone special) that I put in a few months ago, and every time I start the car I get the "charge system fault" message on the dic. It appears that the battery will not charge unless I give the throttle a quick blip above 2200-2500 rpms. I tested this by going for a drive and shifting before 2000rpms, and it drained the battery. A quick jump start and rev to 2500, and it charges perfectly (dic message always goes away on its own).
A stock alternator is out of the question because it won't fit with my Tt kit that I will be doing over the winter. I know the ptk kits use a mini alternator but I couldn't don't any info on which one most people use, and more importantly if I will still have the same issue? If I still will have the same issue, I plan on running a ford alternator in the ac location to save a few bucks.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Since you're tuning, you should be able to turn off the monitoring of the alternator in the system settings. At that point, a simple 50ohm, 5W resistor connected to switched ignition power would energize most alternators. Or, use an idiot light to energize it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
The C5 only uses a 5 volt input to the rotor in the alternator to "flash" the stator field. Higher revs will allow it to flash if you don't have a C5 correct alternator.
The circuit you want to power is the Red 225 one that goes to terminal B as shown on the schematic. It is between the Gray wire and the empty cavity on the end.
Let us know if you need any more help.
Mr. Sam
Charging System
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
The C5 only uses a 5 volt input to the rotor in the alternator to "flash" the stator field. Higher revs will allow it to flash if you don't have a C5 correct alternator.
The circuit you want to power is the Red 225 one that goes to terminal B as shown on the schematic. It is between the Gray wire and the empty cavity on the end.
Let us know if you need any more help.
Mr. Sam
Charging System
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I've been told on tuner forums that it will work. The system settings is where you setup the PCM to work on different platforms. It makes sens that if you set the PCM to have a F-Body alternator for example then it won't do the checks for the Valeo.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Tuning out the message doesn't mean the alternator is working correctly. I was more interested in the wiring mod you suggested in post #3.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I'm sure it's been done on many LS1 swaps over the years. The people doing swaps and customization just do it instead of worrying so damn much about any little change not working.