Contemporary Specific wiring question

mrmustang · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 05:57 PM

Ok folks, shaking down the Contemporary Cobra these past few days, I noticed that the alt. was not charging, checked everything over, yet still not putting out anything. So, I go to grab it off the engine, having just noticed only one wire feed off the postive side of the alt. (no other wiring harness connections at all) Now, I know all about one wire alt's, but this has me puzzled, as there is a three wire, slim box on the back of the standard Ford alt (that I have never seen before in my life), that seems to be part of this setup............What have I got on my hands here folks, and what can I do to swap it out for something a little more simplistic...............

Yours in wiring handicapped Fords,

Bill S.

Specialk · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 06:27 PM

All the one wire Ford alternators I have seen have the self exciting regulator mounted on the back of the case, not built in.

mrmustang · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2003, 10:59 PM

Will yank it back off and post a picture in the AM to see if we are indeed speaking of the same item...Just something I have not seen in my normal Ford travels over the years.........

Bill S.

mrmustang · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2003, 04:55 AM

Pictures being added, anyone know what this odd looking device is on the back of my alt.:

John Poling · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-2003, 07:37 AM

mrmustang,

That appears to be a "Self Exciter Regulator" as mentioned by Specialk, I have a similar one on the back of mine that I added when building it so that I could run a single wire to the alternator and not have the external regulator box on my firewall. If this is bad, your alternator will not work. Take your alternator to a reputable Automotive Electrical component shop and have them test it, they should be able to tell you exactly what you have and whether or not it is working. I did this when converting to the single wire just to make sure of what my alternator was putting out (amps wise) and then they had the "box" in stock for $28.00 (I think). If you don't have a good shop like this in your area, I can probably get you information on where to ship it here in the Fort if you're interested. Just let me know here.

John

rhino · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-2003, 11:28 AM

It's a conversion from a 3 wire system to a single wire system.
I also have it on my car. Be sure you unplug your voltage regulator, it's not needed with this set up.

Rhino

mrmustang · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-2003, 06:06 PM

Found the replacement part I needed today:

http://www.transpo.de/cgi-win/product.exe?F794SE

Now if they will ship it to me overnight, I'll be in good shape........

Bill S.