Those with E-fans, will a 145 amp HO alt solve voltage drop?
Dec 26, 2009 | 12:36 AM
#11
Dec 26, 2009 | 09:15 AM
#13
...I was making a point. If you got voltage drop with a factory setup it would be pretty sad... Everybody knows they don't.
You have the 2-pin activated harness and bigger alternator. The OP is asking whether the bigger alt alone will solve his problems.
The 2-pin activated harness solved my problems when I installed the 05+ efans on my 2004 with the stock 105 amp alternator.
You have the 2-pin activated harness and bigger alternator. The OP is asking whether the bigger alt alone will solve his problems.
The 2-pin activated harness solved my problems when I installed the 05+ efans on my 2004 with the stock 105 amp alternator.
Dec 28, 2009 | 10:09 PM
#14
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (27)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,275
Likes: 19
From: Dallas
Does anyone know if the KW1 (160 amp alt) uses the same input plug as the 105 amp alt? I know my 105 amp alt takes a 4 pin plug, as does the 145 amp (KG3). I can get the KG3 and KW1 alts for about the same price locally and I'd prefer the 160 amp alt but I've read it has a different plug?
Also, will my stock sepentine belt work with the bigger alt or do I need a new belt?
Also, will my stock sepentine belt work with the bigger alt or do I need a new belt?
Dec 28, 2009 | 10:22 PM
#15
I would never use an autozone alt. I am very weary of anything not OEM and try and use GM parts when at all possible.
Truckmann, are you using a two pin or 1 pin harness?
The OEM harness is a two pin style, but the kind I am using is 1 pin so whenever the A/C compressor comes on (comes on even if you are running heat in the winter to dry out the air) the fans kick on high. The two pin high speed fans come on when the A/C compressor reaches a certain pressure. I think this would reduce the number of times the fan kick on high and be easier on the alt.
As it is right now, I need to get a bigger alt in. As it is right now, my stock alt will be dead in short order. I'm actually considering just cutting the A/C trigger wire. I don't need high speed fans in the winter anyways.
Truckmann, are you using a two pin or 1 pin harness?
The OEM harness is a two pin style, but the kind I am using is 1 pin so whenever the A/C compressor comes on (comes on even if you are running heat in the winter to dry out the air) the fans kick on high. The two pin high speed fans come on when the A/C compressor reaches a certain pressure. I think this would reduce the number of times the fan kick on high and be easier on the alt.
As it is right now, I need to get a bigger alt in. As it is right now, my stock alt will be dead in short order. I'm actually considering just cutting the A/C trigger wire. I don't need high speed fans in the winter anyways.
I don't know anything about the 160 amp alts, but I do know that you will need a slightly longer belt with the 145. I had to go back to the store after I put on my alt to get the longer belt. The stock one will cram on but puts the tensioner at full lock which isn't good. I think the new belt is only about a 1/2"-1" longer.
Thankfully I have a friend that deals in parts and found me a good deal on a new OEM take-off alt to replace this Autozone POS. Suppose to get it tomorrow. Wonder if I can tell Autozone where to shove there alternator and make them give me my money back.
Last edited by truckmann; Dec 28, 2009 at 10:30 PM.
Dec 29, 2009 | 07:58 AM
#16
Its all about the harness in my opinion. I have an 04 and retrofitted efans - tho it works fine I gotta believe that some are better than others. Noticed sig voltage drop, switched to 145amp, and did Big 3 wire upgrade/Optima battery. Its certainly better, but still happens...my alt is a rebuild from autozone, and after reading this thread I might trade up to either OEM or better at some point...oops there's another few Benjamin's flying out my window!
Dec 29, 2009 | 11:30 AM
#17
145amp alt didn't do anything for my voltage drop (05 fans)...then my tuner (PCMforLess) made some adjustments, and now the idle surges when the ac kicks on (whether the fans come on or not...I installed an over-ride switch for the ac fan). When I get the trans together I'm going to have Justin@BlackBear do a tune for me...I'm sure that he can straighten it out. Now that I think about it...I believe that I had the 145amp alternator on there before I did the efans...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
muncie21
Tuning, Diagnostics, Electronics, and Wiring
2
Sep 7, 2015 09:55 PM
