replacement alternator

[pro321a]

I am sure this has been brought up in previous posts, but what have you guys used in the past for replacement alternators? My recently purchased 300a does not have the original alternator on it, and the one that is on it works, but the charge light stays on. Any suggestions for a new owner would be appreciated. Thanks.

[fastblackmerc]

I am sure this has been brought up in previous posts, but what have you guys used in the past for replacement alternators? My recently purchased 300a does not have the original alternator on it, and the one that is on it works, but the charge light stays on. Any suggestions for a new owner would be appreciated. Thanks.
The Marauder uses the 4G type alternator. Must be one specifically for the Marauder or you'll be still have the light of stay on. Rockauto has the correct one.

[justbob]

I bought the DB electrical one and their starter last year. I was skeptical on their low price but both still work flawlessly.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[ctrlraven]

Reman units have a high chance of being bad right out of the box or within the first year. Most new alternators aren't that much more and are worth it. A bad or "iffy" alternator can also make a brand new battery bad as well.

RockAuto.com REMY Part # 92545 (5% Discount Code: 88F24AB80255D3) Expires: 07/14/2014

DB Electrical http://www.dbelectrical.com/p-4111-new-mercury-marauder-alternator-46l-2003-2004-8314.aspx

[pro321a]

Thanks for the quick replies. Has anyone used the one from rock auto? I have heard a lot of good things about the one from db electrical.

[fastblackmerc]

I also got one from DB... good stuff!

[pro321a]

I also got one from DB... good stuff!

Good to hear! How long have you had it on your car?

[fastblackmerc]

Good to hear! How long have you had it on your car?

At least 4 years.

Nothing wrong with the OEM... upgrade to a higher output unit.

[pro321a]

I think I give db electrical a try. Tried of fighting with trying to get one locally that will work correctly.

[Co1207- Fabc1]

Alternator 200a from DB with the wiring upgrade good staff :) all adders cas rack auto newer had eny problems with ther parts :bows:

[pro321a]

Just received my alternator from db electrical. I have the same problem,after 30 seconds the charge light will come on. Any suggestions on any thing else to check?

[MOTOWN]

Just received my alternator from db electrical. I have the same problem,after 30 seconds the charge light will come on. Any suggestions on any thing else to check?

You more than likely have a ground issue/corroded cable, or a bad battery.

[pro321a]

Could that be the positive or negative cable (or both) ? I did check the grounds at the front on the car and where the cable attaches to the engine block.

[MOTOWN]

Could that be the positive or negative cable (or both) ? I did check the grounds at the front on the car and where the cable attaches to the engine block.

Check the terminals for corrosion, have your battery tested, the ground to the engine block has to be clean, and tight.

[pro321a]

Ok,I will check that cable is tight. I cleaned both terminals,but the positive cable looked like it might have corrosion under the cable covering (where the two cables attach to the terminal end),

[MOTOWN]

Ok,I will check that cable is tight. I cleaned both terminals,but the positive cable looked like it might have corrosion under the cable covering (where the two cables attach to the terminal end),

How old is your battery?

[NXSBOB]

Can't go wrong with OEM for Ford. Reman is better than aftermarket. IMHO
AutoNation Ford White Bear Lake (previously Tousley Ford) $170.73
http://parts.autonationfordwhitebearl ake.com/parts/index.cfm?make=Mercury&year=2003&model=Marauder&submodel=&searchText=3W3Z-10346-AA&action=oePartSearch&siteid=214771

[pro321a]

How old is your battery?

Just went to advance and replaced it, same problem. Old battery was alittle over 3 years old.

[pro321a]

Can't go wrong with OEM for Ford. Reman is better than aftermarket. IMHO
AutoNation Ford White Bear Lake (previously Tousley Ford) $170.73
http://parts.autonationfordwhitebearl ake.com/parts/index.cfm?make=Mercury&year=2003&model=Marauder&submodel=&searchText=3W3Z-10346-AA&action=oePartSearch&siteid=214771

Thanks for the link, I just need to find out what the problem might be.

[MOTOWN]

Just went to advance and replaced it, same problem. Old battery was alittle over 3 years old.

At this point you have a brand new alternator, and battery, as i said your problem is electrical, you have a short to ground in one of your connections.

[pro321a]

At this point you have a brand new alternator, and battery, as i said your problem is electrical, you have a short to ground in one of your connections.

Thanks,any suggestions on checking the wiring for a bad connection or broken wire?

[VMARAUDER]

Did you check the one 2 terminal connector to make sure it's clean and tight.

[pro321a]

Did you check the one 2 terminal connector to make sure it's clean and tight.

Where is that connector located?

[VMARAUDER]

Where is that connector located?

On the alternator

[pro321a]

On the alternator

Is that the connector that goes to the voltage regulator? If so,mine has 3 wires.

[VMARAUDER]

ok 3 wires

[pro321a]

Connector is clean and fits tight to v/regulator, but I can move the wires just a little bit ( very little, but I can move them).

[hharris17]

you should suspect something in the PCM. i have a wiring diagram book that covers 2004 crown vic , merc marquis and marauder. there is only one page on the charging system. it shows two wires from the battery and two going to the PCM. of the two going to the PCM, one is used to turn the light off by applying 12v to the back side of it once the alternator starts charging. it doesn't give a color code, just labeled as I and S and the S leg is the one used to turn supply the 12v which turns the light off since it would have 12v on both sides of it once the alternator starts charging. there has to be a relay or something in the PCM that makes that switch.

[pro321a]

Thanks for the information. I did find the problem. There is a open or break in the wire that goes to the pcm. It is the light green/red wire that goes from the regulator to the pcm. I found on the internet a posting that had the pages from the ford shop manual on how to check the wiring for the correct voltages and resistance. All voltages checked good,but I had no resistance form the regulator to the pcm connector. Just to check that was the problem, I ran a temporary jumper wire from the pcm connector to the green/red wire at the voltage regulator,and no battery light with 14.3 to 14.5 volts at the battery. Now I just need to trace the wire to see where the problem is. Thanks for every one's help.

[lji372]

Good to see you found the gremlin!! :beer:

[JoeBoomz]

We just looked at these diagrams last weekend, as we are converting the Marauder harness to fit on Cobra components for Dad's build - specifically the alternator.

The middle wire in the alternator plug that goes to the PCM is actually NOT used on the Cobra or even the Mach 1 (the wire just ends in the harness). But the Marauder wiring diagrams have it running to the PCM (as stated above). I am fairly certain this (middle wire) is what the PCM uses to enable the CLUTCH on the alternator. The Marauder can be configured to turn off the alternator at WOT so there is no load on the engine.

So, to solve your charging issue, you can fix the wire, or swap to a pulley that does not have the clutch.

I don't know what kind of signal the PCM uses to enable the clutch, but it's entirely possible it's just a 12V, in which case you could connect it to your battery to see if the clutch enables, and confirm it.

[MOTOWN]

We just looked at these diagrams last weekend, as we are converting the Marauder harness to fit on Cobra components for Dad's build - specifically the alternator.

The middle wire in the alternator plug that goes to the PCM is actually NOT used on the Cobra or even the Mach 1 (the wire just ends in the harness). But the Marauder wiring diagrams have it running to the PCM (as stated above). I am fairly certain this (middle wire) is what the PCM uses to enable the CLUTCH on the alternator. The Marauder can be configured to turn off the alternator at WOT so there is no load on the engine.

So, to solve your charging issue, you can fix the wire, or swap to a pulley that does not have the clutch.

I don't know what kind of signal the PCM uses to enable the clutch, but it's entirely possible it's just a 12V, in which case you could connect it to your battery to see if the clutch enables, and confirm it.

The Clutch on the pulley is a oneway clutch that freewheels when you let off the throttle , the pcm has nothing to do with the function of the clutch, which is there to prolong belt life.

[pro321a]

Here is the link to the information I used http://autoforums.carjunky.com/Automotive_Repair_C1/Electrical_and_Wiring_F6/2004_Crown_Vic_charging_proble ms_P150668/ . Gives the steps on checking for battery light on with engine running. Post #9 on this link has the pages from the ford shop manual.

[Bruce Wayne]

any one know the motorcraft part number for the OEM alternator?

[ARodmarauder]

any one know the motorcraft part number for the OEM alternator?



When I replaced my alternator a couple of weeks ago ford has them but they are remanufactured. For the price I was quoted hours better off getting a new one

[RF Overlord]

I am fairly certain this (middle wire) is what the PCM uses to enable the CLUTCH on the alternator. No.
The Marauder can be configured to turn off the alternator at WOT so there is no load on the engine.This is true, however it's done by shutting off the field current, not mechanically.
The Clutch on the pulley is a oneway clutch that freewheels when you let off the throttle , the pcm has nothing to do with the function of the clutch, which is there to prolong belt life.This.