When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
H there,
This alternator seems to be going bad. I took it to 2 shops and they both said it charges for a while, then stops charging, then starts again. I would like to replace it, but I can't figure out which one it is. The previous owner installed it, and it is not an original style alternator for this car. The car is a 1991 Firebird Formula, it was originally a 305 TBI automatic, but is now a 355 TPI manual.
If you look closely at the pics of the OP's alternator, and the alternator KR81 posted, you will see location differences in the electrical connector(specifically, where the red and brown wire's connector is in relation to the mounting ears). Those two alternators, while similar at first glance, are different looking enough to possibly explain what the OP is experiencing here. Of course considering KR81's car is a 1988 and the OP's is a 1991, perhaps there were different alternators, or perhaps they are supposed to be the same and the previous owner bastardized something to fit when he installed the 355 TPI. So now if they ARE supposed to be the same we're left wondering, what exactly DID the previous owner install when the engine work was done? It's not a V6 alternator, that's for sure because the connector locations are different on the V6 VS either of these two, so perhaps a V8 of a different model (like a Buick or something?) . At any rate, if it were my situation, I'd at least try and see if whatever alternator a 1991 V8 Firebird calls for could be fitted, perhaps the different connector location may not be a problem if the wire reaches it and nothing bracket wise interferes with it?
Edited to add, I just went to Rock Auto and looked up the alternator for a 1991 V8 Firebird and the one shown is exactly the one in the OP's car, leaving me to now question the parts people the OP is dealing with
Last edited by OrangeBird; Jan 16, 2022 at 08:43 AM.
Reason: clarify my point.....
For many alternators, the connector location is "adjustable"... tha alt itself is the same, it's just a matter of where the rear piece is oriented with respect to the front piece. Referred to as "clocking" the alt. For years, the 10SI was like that; you'd go to the parts store and buy one, and for some applications, you'd have to do that. Which was simply, remove the screws holding it together, rotate the pieces to some new orientation, and put the screws back in. Doesn't necessarily make it a "different" alt. Not sure if that's the same case here, I can't recall ever having to do that to one of those, but something to consider.
Thanks for all the replies. So I need a CS130. most of them are 105amps, is that sufficient for this car? It used to have A/C, but it doesn't anymore. If I put A/C back in someday, will 105amps be enough?
Are there any recommendations for a good C130? Any to steer clear of?
