Charging Issues

[mpvpsu]

Has anyone changed the pigtail for the alternator?
Mazda sells it for $160 and said it is the whole peice from the ECU to the alt, so no simple cut and change pigtail like I've done in the past.

 

[mspeed645]

explain to me what you mean bc im def having a charging problem i was just gonna replace the alternator is it something else?

 

[mpvpsu]

I started having some charging issues about 8mo to a yr after I put a stereo system in, so I had a custom 140 amp alt built. I installed it but didn't see a change, so I bench-tested the old alt and the new one, and had the Voltage reg changed on the new one. Both were putting out 14-15.5 volts, so I upgraded the factory alt line to a 4 guage line and added a 100 amp fuse, just incase, a small change but not what I need. The only thing left in the alt pigtail, but Mazda told me it was a b**** to do. They also sid it's not uncommon for the pigtail to be damged if you've changed the alt. But like most parts with our cars you can't just change the plug, you need to change the whole thing from teh alt to the ECU according to the dealer. so this is where I'm left, I'll be going to the dealer today to order the part and I'll take a few pics and see if i can post them. Hope you have better luck than I did

 

[mpvpsu]

Talked to the dealer today, but they're not sure which wiring harnes it connects to. Does anyone have a picture or the wiring harnes that the alternator connects to or a diagram?

 

[wannabe]

http://protege5.ugly.net/01-17.PDF

thats the best i can offer...

 

[mpvpsu]

Thanks that helped I regrounded a wire shown on that diagram, but I think I still may need that main wiring harness diargam, I'll have to see if the dealer can fax one to me.

 

[Tzar177]

do you have a full grounding kit? it will smooth things out and take a lil bit of load off the alt

 

[mpvpsu]

do you have a full grounding kit? it will smooth things out and take a lil bit of load off the alt

I do have a grounding kit, I installed it when I upgraded the alt last spring. but I do have to check the connections points and make sure everything is tight. But thanks for the heads up on that I always welcome advice.