Alternator woes

[SKYWALKR]

Well the alternator finally crapped out in my car yesterday on my way home. I was planning on doing an upgrade, but it may have already been done... the alternator in the car says 95A on the side... what gives has it been upgraded already??? someone help me out here I thought the fox bodies had 65A... Lost... Thanks fellas...

Luke

 

[Michael Yount]

Fox bodies did have an 65A. If "95A" means it's got a 95A alternator in it, then yes, it had been upgraded. The 95A unit bolts right into the stock location without having to cut the alternator bracket as you do for the 130A. I put a 95A in mine.

 

[SKYWALKR]

If I caryy it to Advance or Autozone what part number would I reference???

 

[Michael Yount]

No idea - mine's aftermarket - came from www.pa-performance.com. I don't think any of the Stangs came with a 95A alternator. The fox bodies came with a 65A; the SN94/95's came with a 130A. If you're gonna upgrade to the 130A, you need to be sure that the wiring has been upgraded also (it should've been even with the 95A). There should be a 4 gauge cable running from the alternator output to the battery positive post and an inline fusible link - somewhere up around 150-200A.

 

[Michael Yount]

I probably wasn't that helpful - if you're gonna replace it at AutoZone, your choices are to go back with the stock 65A (probably not a good choice) or to get the 130A from an SN94/95. If you do that, you'll have to do some metal removal on the bracket to make it fit (easily done with drill, file, dremel - cut off wheel, etc.) and you may have to re-wire.

 

[SKYWALKR]

Thanks Michael... I guess I'll have to do a little poking to see if the wiring has been upgraded. There are some electric taped wires leading to a loom across to the Battery... I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again.

Luke

 

[helpmelogin]

Thanks Michael... I guess I'll have to do a little poking to see if the wiring has been upgraded. There are some electric taped wires leading to a loom across to the Battery... I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again.

Luke

Take off the loom and tape. If you have 2 small 10 gauge wires running into 1 10 gauge wire then it has not been upgraded.
It sounds like it still has te stock wiring if it is all taped up.
If it is you should replace it with a single 4 gauge wire.

 

[SKYWALKR]

Thanks for all the help fellas. I just called PA Performance and ordered the 130A, Wire upgrade, and connector. Next will be a new Optima and I will hopefully be good to go for a while...


S/F
Luke

 

[Michael Yount]

Well done Luke - you won't be disappointed by the PA-Performance product - great quality, great customer service and idiot-proof instructions. Good luck!