Battery light came on for a second

glowstang93 · Oct 21, 2006

Twice on the way to work and once on the way home, the battery light came on for about 3 seconds. The volts didn't seem to drop, but it was hard to tell it happened so fast. I know my power and ground are good because I just did all the 4awg upgrades for the 3g. I'm thinking either the stator wire connection is bad at the tap on from the harness or maybe the alternator is just starting to go out. I have had it for over 4 years and there does seem to be a small bit of whining possibly coming from the alternator bearings. I can't really have it tested yet, because the problem is so intermittent.

I'm going to keep an eye on it, but its looking like I may be going to the parts counter and requesting an alternator for a F-350 5.8 liter 130 amp for a 93 mustang They will never understand that

Any other ideas on possible problem?

glowstang93 · Oct 22, 2006

I've narrowed it down some. The light only comes on when I hit 4000 rpms. I'm thinking that there is a internal voltage regulator going out or something that is sensitive to high rpm's.

Anybody else agree or disagree that its a bad alternator?

90mustangGT · Oct 22, 2006

9 times out of 10, bad alternator.

glowstang93 · Oct 22, 2006

Thanks for the reply 90mustangGT.

I pulled it and had O'Reilly's verify my thoughts. It didn't show bad bad, but it was on the way out. I thought I had it figured out what year/model had 130 amp alt, but ended up just replacing it with another 95 amp 3G used on a 92 Ford van 5.0. It is definitely still better than the stock 75 alt Oh well, if anybody wants a 95 amp, its 01-0195 at O'Reilly's.

Oh well, maybe next time I'll get that 130 amp.

Mustang5L5 · Oct 22, 2006

94-95 GT has the 130AMP

glowstang93 · Oct 22, 2006

Thanks Mike.

I checked again with O'Reilly's the 130 amp for 94 Mustang GT has a bigger case that doesn't match up with the mounting for a 93 Mustang 4 cylinder. The dimension between the two mounting holes is at least 1" further on the 94 than the 93. I was hoping it would work, but its a no go.

Thank you for your help though. Looks like if I really want to go the 130 on mine I may have to go aftermarket.

Mustang5L5 · Oct 22, 2006

oh i'm sorry about that. For some reason i thought you 5.0-swapped your car

glowstang93 · Oct 22, 2006

I got an idea. I'll leave the garage door open tonight with the keys in the car. You come over and swap me in a 5.0. Then just bring it back in the morning and I'll be .

I did figure out the difference in something though. I am using an alternator that 92 E-150 uses w/o a/c. The 130 amp alternators for this year/model are w a/c. Thats why the one ear sticks out longer for a different mounting configuration.

Why couldn't Ford have done it right to start with

I'm going to have to keep a cheat sheet in the car so if I ever have to change it again. This one lasted 4 yrs which is a record, the 2g only lasted usually 2 years and the output was terrible.

Thanks again.

Roland69 · Oct 22, 2006

maby the belt was slipping and the light came on for that second the belt was slipping. My 95 did that but only when I splashed through a puddle.

glowstang93 · Oct 23, 2006

I had that thought too. I put on an old belt and revved it up and the light still came on and the volts dropped at 4000 rpms.

On the way home this morning the volts stayed level and higher than they have that I can remember. Its working like a champ. Now if we can just stop winter and all the cold squeaks, rattles, and creaks.

seijirou · Oct 23, 2006

The case is bigger for the 130amp 3g's but how about the guts? I'd have to see the two side by side but even without doing that I'd almost bet you can fit the 130amp guts in your 95amp case. I might hafta go the parts sto' and have a look-see.

Roland69 · Oct 23, 2006

That's a good idea if it works....but the little amount of notching needed is way easier than swapping the guts.

seijirou · Oct 23, 2006

Roland69 said:
That's a good idea if it works....but the little amount of notching needed is way easier than swapping the guts.

If I understood his description of the alt. correctly, his alternator's mounting bolts are closer together than the ones on the 5.0. I don't know offhand because I've never fiddled with one of the 4 cylinders before.
If that's true, than making a 3G fit would be a bit more involved than the normal notching required on the 5.0, and swapping guts I think would prove easier.

glowstang93 · Oct 23, 2006

The one I found was for a 92 Ford 150 Econoline, 95 amp. The 130 amp that is listed for a 92 Ford 150 Econoline has a bigger case that does not allow it to match up with the mounting bolts even with grinding.

There is probably some application out there that is 130 amps that will fit the mount on my 4 banger, but I haven't found one yet. I know the stock alternators for 5.0 and 2.3 are the same # so the mounting must be the same dimensions. I did call back and ask them if the alt for a 94 mustang was the right size or big like the one for the 93 Ford 150 Econoline 130 amp. They said it was too. I think in the morning I will go by and check it out.

But for my car, the 95 amp is doing just fine, the voltage doesn't drop too bad and its much more dependable than the stock one. Besides, I got the Lifetime Warranty. If it goes out, its there bill, not mine.

Out of curiosity, what model/year did everyone find there 3g that fit the mounting dimensions (with a little grinding) so I can have them pull one at the parts store and check it out.

Roland69 · Oct 23, 2006

the 4 cyl and the 5.0 are the same part #...and I looked at both and they look the exact same

seijirou · Oct 24, 2006

glowstang93 said:
Out of curiosity, what model/year did everyone find there 3g that fit the mounting dimensions (with a little grinding) so I can have them pull one at the parts store and check it out.

1994 Mustang

Good to know that the 4 banger and 5.0 alts are the same. I was about to head over to napa after work today

glowstang93 · Oct 24, 2006

I'm going this morning to verify in person what the case looks like for the 94 mustang alternator. If it fits mine, then I'm going to exchange if they will let me based on the fact that I called them and they said it was the bigger. I'll let yall know what happens.

seijirou · Oct 24, 2006

glowstang93 said:
I'm going this morning to verify in person what the case looks like for the 94 mustang alternator. If it fits mine, then I'm going to exchange if they will let me based on the fact that I called them and they said it was the bigger. I'll let yall know what happens.

it is bigger, but only marginally. The distance between the two bolt holes however is the same.

glowstang93 · Oct 24, 2006

Yep it would fit. The only thing I can see that would have to be done in my application on the 4 banger is to tap the hole on the alternator to put in threads. The hole on alt has no threads where the one I have for the 92 150 Econo has threads making it an easier replacement on the road.

But, yes it would fit with this modification. I would think just tapping it would work since it is steel casing.

Thanks for the help again, at least I now know another option if they don't have this one in stock

seijirou · Oct 24, 2006

I've never seen one with a steel case. How heavy is that thing? I used a slightly longer bolt and a nut.

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