OK, I bought a brand new 90 Amp Mitsubishi alternator that mounts perfectly on my 2.6 liter Gen 1 motor. I had to switch the pulley off my original alternator to make it align correctly. Now I go to hook it up and the connection for the two small wires is different than the plug on the white and blue wires in my original wiring harness. The new alternator has the plugs (spades) configurred in a "T" shape. So the question is which part of the "T" on the Mitsubishi Alternator takes the white wire and which part takes the blue wire if I cut off my old plastic plug and attach spade lugs? Will the service dept. at the dealership help me? Me thinks not. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

If the alternator is marked, the white wire (lamp and exciter) would go to the "L" connector and the other wire (batt +) to the "S' terminal.
Conner

Connor: I really appreciate the information. Unfortunately, the alternator is not marked. So, I am hoping someone has had experience with this alternator and can give me the info I need.

I guess, in the long run, I could just hook them up with a guess and hope it works right. I have a 50/50 chance of getting it correct! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Any idea on what the donor is? Can you see inside the case to check wire colors there? Can you take the rear case off to check the wiring? I'd try all of the above, and anything else anybody else thinks of before I'd fry it by wiring it up wrong. JM2(damn, when did they quit putting a <cents> symbol on keyboards when I wasn't looking). If you have to guess, I'd put the bottom wire in the same place relative to the heat sinks. I'm also sure there's a way with a multimeter to figure out which is which, but I don't know how.

What is the application for the new alternator? Find out which vehicle it was intended to be used on and either look up a charging circuit schematic or find a car in the junk yard and examine the wiring harness at the plug.

Frank

My expierence has been that wire on the top of the tee is typically the "L" terminal. However i suggest you take Franks advice. That is the only sure method.
Conner

I really appreciate al the advice. But I still need more if anyone has any ideas.

The alternator is a bolt on and the seller said it was for a 2.6 four banger.

Well it bolts on beautifully. Click on the Cardomain link in my signature, on page two are two photos of it on the motor before installation. And with my pully on the front, the belts are perfect. I have it installed in the Montero now and I really don't want to take it out and dismantle it, if I can possibly avoid it.

But the wire plug config is definitely different.

I think the best suggestion has been to go dig thru the wrecking yards. Maybe a local auto electric re-builder can help me. I know there is one in my neighborhood.

As far as the other suggestions go, if I knew what to look for, I could stick my meter onit. (I do have a Fluke)

It is a beautiful alternator, I hope I will be able to use it.

Thanks guys, and keep the ideas coming in, I need all the help I can get on this one.

While you're at the junkyard (and if you find the right vehicle) snip the plug you need, but leave enough wire to splice into your harness.

Frank

What was the original pulley? Vee or serp.? I looked at a Starion alt. diagram and it looks like it has a weatherpack sq. oval with parallel spades. FWIW, almost all of the mitsu diagrams I looked at had a fat wire and a skinnier wire in that pair. One of you 'lectron geniuses deduce which would be fatso, and he's got it. So far I deduce that S is the fat wire, and should show 12v all the time. L is the ign switched and chg light circuit with diode, and should show 12v only when ign is on. If the tee is upside down as alt is mounted, my bet is that the fat wire constant 12v is the tee crossbar (on the bottom) and the tee upright is the skinny switched 12v wire. Edjicated guess. How much better than 5050 I don't know. It's still a binary solution set.

Eddy:

The "T" is in the conventional position as I look at it with the alternator on the motor. No, the "T" is not upside down.

And the spades are the same size so there is no indicator as to a larger wire needed on one rather than the other.

Good thinking though!

And the pulley I pulled off, is actually still on in the picture on my Cardomain page two. It is a conventional "V" type pulley. So, no help there either.

My quest goes on.

Hey, I turned the new motor over with the starter motor the other day. First time since I started the engine rebuild two years ago. Progress.