Fellow oldsmen -

I've had a 442 for a few months, "Gen" light came on in dash after replacing some fuses and installing missing courtesy lamp bulbs. I had alternator tested and was told diode bridge not working, causing unit to not charge within its limits. Bought a replacement alternator at local auto parts and got a 63amp unit - thats what came up in their computer for this year/model. Found out that the unit I replaced was for a 71 442.

ok, here are the questions:

1. Since I doubt the "new" remanufactured alternator is bad - what do you believe is causing the red "Gen" warning light?

2. Manual says this car, this year, with A/C should have 55-amp. Will 63-amp be a problem?

3. Wires leading to "R" and "F" terminals on alternator are not joined by a a plastic connector - rather, they are loose. One wire is "red", the other "brown". Want to make sure these go into the right terminal. Looking for a wiring diagram to show this, but appreciate the help. If these wires a reversed, what happens? maybe this is the problem.

4. Where can I find this plastic connector that goes to the alternator, local auto parts didn't have it and couldn't order this.

Thanks in advance.

 

only answer I can help with is that the 63 amp is fine. If you still have the old alternator check to see if it was original it is getting hard to find original alternators - just hold on to it would have a part number on it 110890.

 

It wasn't the original alternator unfortunately.

 

I know at least some of the 1970 W30 cars came with the voltage regulator built into the alternator. Does your car have the external voltage regulator attached to the firewall? Does the wiring harness look factory and uncut? I'm just guessing, but if someone converted it over the years they may not have done a good job splicing connections. Following that thought I'd look really closely at the wiring to see if there's a break or corroded spot somewhere.
John

Also... tagging onto what Steve said did you keep the 1971 442 alternator or turn it in as a core? If you have the correct numbers for that someone may be interested in it.

 

The alternator I turned in was not an original alternator, it was an aftermarket remanufactured unit.

The alternator to my vehicle has an internal regulator.

The wiring under the dash is a mess, to be honest. There are several wires that are dangling and unconnected. Several of the fuses in the fusebox had HIGHER ratings than they should have, which tells me someone monkeyed around with the electrical at some point.

THe harness is original, like most of the car. Do you think replacing the wiring harness is merited at this point?

 

Steven, where do you find what alternator part #s belong to which model/year? I looked in 442.com faq and couldn't find this.

 

All 442s in 1970 were internally regulated.

 

Thanks Randy. I've seen so few that I didn't know if it was just an option or not.

Cornwallis, if your harness is hacked up like many of this vintage I'd agree this may be a good time to replace or repair it. With people stuffing aftermarket radio's, tape players and CB radio's under the dash it's hard to find one not cut up! John

 

Cornwallis, I believe this is what the original one should look like. John

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