Alternator question

[Motown 454]

I have a question I got this alternator with my LSA connect and cruise kit, it has 3 posts in the connector but the harness came with a 2 pin connector. I read that the new alternators are more like generators in the way they work and that is what is on the tag for the Alt. it says Gen. I'm trying to figure which alternator is supposed to be with my kit. I send an E mail to the dealer I bought it at, but figured I would check here.

Difference in alt to connector.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/07/cK9kcQ-1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pmcK9kcQj)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/07/2JdgG5-1.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/po2JdgG5j)

[blitzer454]

It looks like you have a CS130-D alternator. http://www.americanautowire.com/view-faq/how-to-identify-your-gm-internally-regulated-alternator/

You will probably have to buy a pigtail connector for that alternator and wire it to your existing harness.

[Motown 454]

Thanks

[andrewb70]

It looks like you have a CS130-D alternator. http://www.americanautowire.com/view-faq/how-to-identify-your-gm-internally-regulated-alternator/

You will probably have to buy a pigtail connector for that alternator and wire it to your existing harness.

Not so fast...

I would first find out how the ECU is set-up to control the alternator. The newer alternators are PWM controlled and use 2 pins. The older alternators had the CS130-D control strategy (4 pin, L terminal and S terminal, etc...)

My guess is that the new ECU wants a newer PWM controlled alternator.

Here is a 2012 LSA Camaro alternator:

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=6261354&cc=1501794&jsn=532

The pictures show a 2 pin connector.

Andrew

[Motown 454]

I looked at it thanks. I'm hoping they make one without the big hunk on top for an extra bolt.

[dhutton]

So the LSA connect and cruise ECM needs a PWM alternator? Where did you confirm this Wayne? Not saying it doesn't, just a little surprised that it does.

Don

[Motown 454]

Don I saw it on one of the harness manufacturers video I tried to find it but couldn't get back to it. If I find it I'll post it.

[badazz81z28]

I have the GM performance harness. The wire for the alternator is in the bundle. I had to dig to find it, buy a connector and pin it. I think the system expects you to use the stock wires to hook it up

[blitzer454]

I'm using the Chevy LSA engine controller kit (Part# 19354336) and if I remember correctly it had a one wire connector labeled "GEN" which I connected to the field pin on the alternator. I can't recall if this connector had 2 pins like the OP or if it just had one. I also ran my own wire from the sense pin of the alternator to the main junction block. I hope I did it right. It does appear to charge okay but I've only driven it around the block a few times so far.

[andrewb70]

I'm using the Chevy LSA engine controller kit (Part# 19354336) and if I remember correctly it had a one wire connector labeled "GEN" which I connected to the field pin on the alternator. I can't recall if this connector had 2 pins like the OP or if it just had one. I also ran my own wire from the sense pin of the alternator to the main junction block. I hope I did it right. It does appear to charge okay but I've only driven it around the block a few times so far.

Here are the instructions for 19354336:

https://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/chevrolet/na/us/english/index/performance/resources/installation-guides/crate-engines/01-images/lsa-engine-controller-kit-non-e-rod-19259293.pdf

It lists the generator connection being optional and having a 2 pin connector. This tells me that it wants to go with a PWM alternator.

Wayne, if you want to wire the 4 pin alternator that you already have, you can use a pigtail from Holley that has a resister built in going to the L terminal. I used this and it works great. I also added another pin to that connector that goes to the S terminal, which goes to my main power distribution point.

https://holley.com/products/accessories/drive_brackets/components_and_service_parts/parts/197-400

That connector uses metripac 150 series female terminals.

Although, I would call GM Performance support and try to find out if they want to use a PWM controlled alternator. If that's the case, I would use it, as that provides the most advanced alternator output strategy.

Also, are you sure that the 2 cavity connector in question is for the alternator?

Andrew

[Motown 454]

Andrew it says GEN on it.
I went out to see if the pig tail is a single, I pulled back the corrugated cover and it is a single.
Yesterday I went to the local Chevy part dept. and asked if they could check on the alternator situation and he can't access the Performance information. I'm going to get the tech line number and find out.
I just called GM performance and couldn't get through, They need my customer code and what I thought it was ,was not it. Someone with their customer code might get through.

[dhutton]

Here are the instructions for 19354336:

https://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/chevrolet/na/us/english/index/performance/resources/installation-guides/crate-engines/01-images/lsa-engine-controller-kit-non-e-rod-19259293.pdf

It lists the generator connection being optional and having a 2 pin connector. This tells me that it wants to go with a PWM alternator.

Wayne, if you want to wire the 4 pin alternator that you already have, you can use a pigtail from Holley that has a resister built in going to the L terminal. I used this and it works great. I also added another pin to that connector that goes to the S terminal, which goes to my main power distribution point.

https://holley.com/products/accessories/drive_brackets/components_and_service_parts/parts/197-400

That connector uses metripac 150 series female terminals.

Although, I would call GM Performance support and try to find out if they want to use a PWM controlled alternator. If that's the case, I would use it, as that provides the most advanced alternator output strategy.

Also, are you sure that the 2 cavity connector in question is for the alternator?

Andrew

The ERod version of the LSA has this entertaining note:

NOTE: If you are using the Chevrolet Performance or production LSA generator DO NOT plug in the generator control wire into the generator. This will result in the generator defaulting to only an 8 volt output above 3000 RPM.

Don

[Motown 454]

That's the one that is sticking in my head Don.

[dhutton]

That's the one that is sticking in my head Don.

I think you should leave it disconnected and use the Holley connector. Keep things simple.

Don

[Motown 454]

I got in touch with GM today they told me to get a Metri pack 150 4 pin connector and put the wire from my harness in the B slot and plug it in . He said that's all it needs. When I told him the story about the Alt and plug difference he put me on hold and when he came back that was his reply. He sent me an e mail with a schematic and picture of the connector and told me to ignore the schematic.

[another69]

I have what appears to be the same alternator. It came with a GMPP Corvette FEAD that I am using on an LS3. Also spoke with GM, they sent me a schematic that was for a 10/12 SI alternator! I brought it up to them, was put on hold, etc. Finally ended up using the Holley 1 wire connector #197-400 and hooking that up to switched 12v

[12sec ss]

you can shut the PWM stuff with hptuners. I did just that on my 69 camaro, running e38 and a 2004 alternator with the big 4 pin connector. wired the new connector in and it wouldnt charge, turned off voltage control stuff in the e38 via hptuners and charging perfectly.

[andrewb70]

you can shut the PWM stuff with hptuners. I did just that on my 69 camaro, running e38 and a 2004 alternator with the big 4 pin connector. wired the new connector in and it wouldnt charge, turned off voltage control stuff in the e38 via hptuners and charging perfectly.

But if his ECU is already set-up for PWM alternator control, wouldn't it be better to swap to a PWM alternator?

Andrew

[ericard]

I am running across the same issue. From the LSA Connect and Cruise harness it has a two pin plug in with only one port in use and is marked GEN. The alternator i have with the front drive system i bought for the engine has a 4 pin port alternator number is AD244. Does anyone have any idea what one of these 4 ports i will hook this wire to?

[ErikSOCAL]

Hopefully this isn't a thread jack...
Reading thread indicates 3 parts needed to have PWM capable alternator:
1) ecm (+ programming)
2) harness (+ wiring connections)
3) alternator
got 1 and 2 semi-figured out, but which alternators are PWM capable? Have the same type alternator shown in pic 1 (a C5 alternator from GM FEAD) a corresponding 4 cavity matching plug and harness (I recall there are only 2 wires going into the plug), plus E38 ECM. Skimming rockauto looks like maybe the last time an alternator with the 4 cavity plug was used is in 2008 vans.

[andrewb70]

As I understand it, all 2009 and later alternators are PWM controlled.