Alternator wires

[chopthebass]

Can someone tell me what the two thick red wires are, wrapped with the alternator wires? My alternator has the three pin socket to match the one on the harness. No idea what the other wires are!
I am extending the alternator wires as I am routing differently, so need to know if I need to do same for thick ones.

Thanks

[Jeff Kleiner]

The RF harness has two plugs for the alternator but no loose wires so I'm not sure what you're looking at :confused: How about some photos?

Jeff

[chopthebass]

I will add some photos tonight. Yes there are two plugs. One fits my alternator and has 3 pins (two used), the other plug is bigger with two red 10ga (at least) wires going to it.

[Jeff Kleiner]

These are the connectors that plug into the Ford 2G alternator (note that the wire colors in the RF harness will not match this photo):

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTc5WDkxNw==/z/keIAAOSw3ydVjDPA/$_57.JPG?set_id=880000500F

It occurred to me that the larger red wires that you speak of are probably the battery feed to alternator, fusebox and ignition switch which get landed to the hot lug of the solenoid. You should find that they are labeled as such.

Jeff

[rich grsc]

I will add some photos tonight. Yes there are two plugs. One fits my alternator and has 3 pins (two used), the other plug is bigger with two red 10ga (at least) wires going to it.

Bet its not a plug, but the cover over the power output bolt on the alternator?

[chopthebass]

Here's a pic. The plug on the right matches the one on alternator. Still have no idea where the other one goes. Look like 8ga red wires.

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh562/cobra427427/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3944_zpsx0hbm9hm.jpg (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/cobra427427/media/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3944_zpsx0hbm9hm.jpg.html)
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh562/cobra427427/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3943_zpswdxpdqzf.jpg (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/cobra427427/media/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3943_zpswdxpdqzf.jpg.html)

[Jeff Kleiner]

Here's a pic. The plug on the right matches the one on alternator. Still have no idea where the other one goes. Look like 8ga red wires.

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh562/cobra427427/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3944_zpsx0hbm9hm.jpg (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/cobra427427/media/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3944_zpsx0hbm9hm.jpg.html)
http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh562/cobra427427/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3943_zpswdxpdqzf.jpg (http://s1252.photobucket.com/user/cobra427427/media/Cobra%20Build/IMG_3943_zpswdxpdqzf.jpg.html)

It goes to a 2G alternator which is NOT what you have after all. That's a 3G.

Jeff

[chopthebass]

Thanks Jeff. So are they totally redundant? Or Do I need to change my alternator?

[chopthebass]

Just looking online I see people are upgrading their trucks to the 3G, so perhaps thats the way forward. Would anyone know how to connect my alternator?

[rich grsc]

http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=471

[chopthebass]

Rich, do I need that? The plug on the harness as supplied fits my 3g alternator.

I think I will speak to an auto electrician as I am totally dumb with electrics, and I appreciate everyone trying to help but I still don't understand!

[Jeff Kleiner]

As I said in an earlier reply the Francis harness is set up to be "plug & play" with a 2G alternator (1987-1993 Mustang GT for example). Running the 3G will require some harness reconfiguration. So, you have 2 choices...swap to a 2G or modify the harness. If your choice is to rework the harness for the 3G you can find tons of info by googling "2G to 3G alternator conversion". One of the articles that you'll find is from our very own "Mustang Man" Mark Houlahan:

http://www.mustangandfords.com/parts/mump-1301-ford-mustang-3g-alternator-upgrade/

Jeff