Alternator Connections
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Alternator Connections I am having a custom underhood OEM wiring harness made in anticipation of my LS3 swap into my 1972 C10 pickup. I am interested in finding out a few details so that all the wiring is correct and clean looking, and that any stock wires going to places they are no longer needed (I.e. The stock voltage regulator) are deleted. I will be using all Chevrolet Performance parts (LS3 crate motor, wiring harness and engine controller, as well as their accessory drive and accessories.)
Here are my questions to those who have these parts:
1. What is the exact model of alternator included with the Chevrolet Performance accessory drive kit? CS130? 130D? CS144? 144D? I have searched and cannot seem to find these specs.
2. What does the connector look like on the alternator? Number of pins?
3. What does the alternator connector look like for the alternator on the chevrolet performance wiring harness? Number of pins? Does it plug right up to their alternator or need to be modified.
It is my understanding that the alternator will plug up to the one wire on the Chevrolet Performance harness that goes to the ECU. Other than this wire, all I should need is a heavy gauge charge wire going back to the battery, correct?
Here are my questions to those who have these parts:
1. What is the exact model of alternator included with the Chevrolet Performance accessory drive kit? CS130? 130D? CS144? 144D? I have searched and cannot seem to find these specs.
2. What does the connector look like on the alternator? Number of pins?
3. What does the alternator connector look like for the alternator on the chevrolet performance wiring harness? Number of pins? Does it plug right up to their alternator or need to be modified.
It is my understanding that the alternator will plug up to the one wire on the Chevrolet Performance harness that goes to the ECU. Other than this wire, all I should need is a heavy gauge charge wire going back to the battery, correct?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Frustrating that something so simple and so routinely done apparently has no clear cut answer! So far I have found this online, which tells the connections that must be made for a cs130 alternator to work: http://paceperformance.com/p-3980-se...nnections.html
That's all fine and dandy....but I'm also reading that the alternator connector for the GMPP LS 3 harness only has a one pin connector for the alternator. How is it possible for the alternator to operate with the harness in a one pin configuration??
That's all fine and dandy....but I'm also reading that the alternator connector for the GMPP LS 3 harness only has a one pin connector for the alternator. How is it possible for the alternator to operate with the harness in a one pin configuration??
Mine is a one pin as well, the only way I imagine it works properly is that the signal is sent through the wire(switched) and it starts charging through the cable that goes to starter and obviously from the starter to the battery. Also from the starter to the ignition switch, I had s bunch of trouble trying to figure out how to do it in a carbed set up but Ron Francis wiring has a connector with a small module(idk what it is) and it is what makes the alternator to kick on.
Frustrating that something so simple and so routinely done apparently has no clear cut answer! So far I have found this online, which tells the connections that must be made for a cs130 alternator to work: http://paceperformance.com/p-3980-se...nnections.html
That's all fine and dandy....but I'm also reading that the alternator connector for the GMPP LS 3 harness only has a one pin connector for the alternator. How is it possible for the alternator to operate with the harness in a one pin configuration??
That's all fine and dandy....but I'm also reading that the alternator connector for the GMPP LS 3 harness only has a one pin connector for the alternator. How is it possible for the alternator to operate with the harness in a one pin configuration??
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Mine is a one pin as well, the only way I imagine it works properly is that the signal is sent through the wire(switched) and it starts charging through the cable that goes to starter and obviously from the starter to the battery. Also from the starter to the ignition switch, I had s bunch of trouble trying to figure out how to do it in a carbed set up but Ron Francis wiring has a connector with a small module(idk what it is) and it is what makes the alternator to kick on.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Sorry, still confused. Whether the alternator is controlled by the PCM or not, I still am not seeing how it could work based on the following diagram: http://paceperformance.com/p-3980-se...nnections.html. If the Chevrolet Performance PCM only has one wire going to one pin on the alternator, it would be impossible for it to work assuming the link is correct. Two pins on the alternator need voltage no matter how you slice it. What am I missing?
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 220
Likes: 3
Or just put a 50-200 ohm resistor from ign to pin b in the alt connector. This works for all of the ls alts.
Here is how this works. In the factory set up the with the ign on but not spinning, the regulator inside the alt shorts to ground telling the ecu to turn on the alt light.
when the alt spins, it needs a positive signal to excite the alt to start charging.
you don't need the ecu to control the charging. The resistor is use to limit current. if the
resistor is not used you will burn up the regulator inside the alt.
Sorry for the long post, But we have done thousands of these with no problems. Steve
Here is how this works. In the factory set up the with the ign on but not spinning, the regulator inside the alt shorts to ground telling the ecu to turn on the alt light.
when the alt spins, it needs a positive signal to excite the alt to start charging.
you don't need the ecu to control the charging. The resistor is use to limit current. if the
resistor is not used you will burn up the regulator inside the alt.
Sorry for the long post, But we have done thousands of these with no problems. Steve
Trending Topics
If you are going fuel injected I don't think you have anything to worry about other than the bigger cable that goes from the alternator to the starter, and from starter to battery. Pcm will take care of getting the alternator to charge. The link you posted is also showing how to wire it to the stock gauges. They mention the "gen" light (generator/alternator) I'm assuming in case the alternator quits the light will come on to let you know.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Sorry, still confused. Whether the alternator is controlled by the PCM or not, I still am not seeing how it could work based on the following diagram: http://paceperformance.com/p-3980-se...nnections.html. If the Chevrolet Performance PCM only has one wire going to one pin on the alternator, it would be impossible for it to work assuming the link is correct. Two pins on the alternator need voltage no matter how you slice it. What am I missing?
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Anyway we can talk Steve? I’d like to pick your brain about this alternator issue. I’d like to pick your brain on this LS swap alternator problem. My number is2072900479 if you can text or call would be great
QUOTE=EFIHARNESS;18158506]Or just put a 50-200 ohm resistor from ign to pin b in the alt connector. This works for all of the ls alts.
Here is how this works. In the factory set up the with the ign on but not spinning, the regulator inside the alt shorts to ground telling the ecu to turn on the alt light.
when the alt spins, it needs a positive signal to excite the alt to start charging.
you don't need the ecu to control the charging. The resistor is use to limit current. if the
resistor is not used you will burn up the regulator inside the alt.
Sorry for the long post, But we have done thousands of these with no problems. Steve[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=EFIHARNESS;18158506]Or just put a 50-200 ohm resistor from ign to pin b in the alt connector. This works for all of the ls alts.
Here is how this works. In the factory set up the with the ign on but not spinning, the regulator inside the alt shorts to ground telling the ecu to turn on the alt light.
when the alt spins, it needs a positive signal to excite the alt to start charging.
you don't need the ecu to control the charging. The resistor is use to limit current. if the
resistor is not used you will burn up the regulator inside the alt.
Sorry for the long post, But we have done thousands of these with no problems. Steve[/QUOTE]
TECH Regular
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 487
Likes: 6
From: Orange, Texas
https://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billa.../Part2/#Wiring
I used this Holley part on mine https://www.holley.com/products/acce.../parts/197-400
I used this Holley part on mine https://www.holley.com/products/acce.../parts/197-400
There's some info in here Eric -- https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...tor-bible.html
My crate LS3 is run by an 08 Corvette ECU (E38 I think). I used a PSI Conversions harness and a 145A alternator spec'd for an Escalade. It has a 4-wire plug, 3 of which are used. This allows the alternator via ecu control to alter output voltage to try and control to the voltage "sensed" at the "S" wire location. My understanding is that the one-wire hook ups basically don't have this ability and default to a 13.7V output. Mine routinely outputs in the 14.4-14.8V range.
My crate LS3 is run by an 08 Corvette ECU (E38 I think). I used a PSI Conversions harness and a 145A alternator spec'd for an Escalade. It has a 4-wire plug, 3 of which are used. This allows the alternator via ecu control to alter output voltage to try and control to the voltage "sensed" at the "S" wire location. My understanding is that the one-wire hook ups basically don't have this ability and default to a 13.7V output. Mine routinely outputs in the 14.4-14.8V range.