Joined
·
40,992 Posts
Hey everybody, did you realize if you put an internally-regulated alternator onto an earlier car without doing anything else, it will work and charge the battery?
I didn't do it, but found out why the red light was "on" on my 76 Fairlady. Seems the prior owner replaced the engine assembly with a later 280ZX setup, complete with its' internally-regulated alternator.
I'd been driving this thing for about 9 months now and couldn't figure out why the voltmeter showed 14-15 volts, but the red charging light was always on. I'd verified the voltage, and the thing was working, so I just put it off for a "rainy day project".
Getting ready to put in another engine, I find a rebuilt alt in my shed from a 76 Fairlady in storage since 88... Take it out and realize that the alt I currently have in the car is WRONG! After pulling it out, I realize it has internal regulation!
So I put the right alternator on, fire it up, and Viola! Red Charge light goes out.
Whooda thunkit?
So, just beware, things that you swear wouldn't work, sometimes cause you consternation when they do. Especially if it's not how you though it would in the first place!
I didn't do it, but found out why the red light was "on" on my 76 Fairlady. Seems the prior owner replaced the engine assembly with a later 280ZX setup, complete with its' internally-regulated alternator.
I'd been driving this thing for about 9 months now and couldn't figure out why the voltmeter showed 14-15 volts, but the red charging light was always on. I'd verified the voltage, and the thing was working, so I just put it off for a "rainy day project".
Getting ready to put in another engine, I find a rebuilt alt in my shed from a 76 Fairlady in storage since 88... Take it out and realize that the alt I currently have in the car is WRONG! After pulling it out, I realize it has internal regulation!
So I put the right alternator on, fire it up, and Viola! Red Charge light goes out.
Whooda thunkit?
So, just beware, things that you swear wouldn't work, sometimes cause you consternation when they do. Especially if it's not how you though it would in the first place!