Originally Posted by
M60A3Driver
Make sure to get the right alternator. Look at the back of the alternator and see if you have one wire connected or two wires.
I believe if it has two wires connected it's a Bosch, if it has one wire I believe it's a Valeo.
No, the SRT has three wires, all others have two:
Battery Stud:
Big #6awg black cable - high current output to starter (which is wired directly to the battery)
[All cars]
Small connector:
Pin 1: Small #18awg wire - to instrument cluster for "battery" light
[All cars]
Pin 2: Small #18 black/white wire - to PTCM "generator control"
(SRT ONLY)
or....
Pin 2: No connection
(Base and Limited)
The SRT alternator has internal differences to accommodate the control signal from the PTCM, it also has a wider pulley and I believe it can produce 15 more amps of current.
All of this is documented in the 2005 SRT/Limited/Roadster/Coupe service manual.
As to the Valeo/Bosch thing:
The differences revolve around the design of the battery lug used for connection to the big #6 cable and the configuration of the plastic housing of the back of the alternator. I got SICK of the Valeo and it's issues. I ordered a (new, not rebuilt)* Bosch, cut the plastic away around the stud, and installed it in place of the Valeo in 2023. That ended six years of screwing with Valeos that would not last. (Perhaps due to them all being NAPA rebuilds - may not have been the fact they were Valeo.)
Any more questions?
*Ask me how much THAT cost.
