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Author Topic: Alternator Angst  (Read 3161 times)

John Harrison

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    • 1991 Capri XR2
Alternator Angst
« on: October 26, 2021, 09:47:51 PM »

     I recently bought an 1991 XR2 built 6/91 with only 34,000 miles. Before I bought it, the prior owner had a new alternator installed. Within a few weeks in my hands the alternator belt broke, the replacement belt never stopped slipping. I did some research and found that 1991s had 85 amp Bosch alternators. The one installed on my XR2 was clearly the Mitsu, and worse, with a too-wide pulley. I found a rebuilt 1991 Bosch/AC Delco unit, with correct pulley, and asked my garage to put it in. As we discovered, Bosch & Mitsu connectors are different. The mechanic said I had to use a Mitsu; could not just change connectors. I needed to get the car on the road, and with no new Mitsu with the correct pulley available I had a wider belt (Gates 7350) installed. That mostly works. Slips sometimes only when starting. Now time for a permanent fix.
     Was my 1991 built with the Bosch unit or were some built with Mitsu?  Was the mechanic wrong, can I just swap connectors and use the Bosch?  Or should I get a proper pulley for the Mitsu?
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Rocketman

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    • 91 BPT AWD Capri & 1991 XR2
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Re: Alternator Angst
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2021, 10:16:03 PM »

You can swap connectors, yes. I have put the Mitsu units on cars originally equipped with the Bosch unit.
The lower mounting bolt is different. You will need to find a correct bolt. (a good hardware store may have something long enough)

There was a cutoff date where they switched alternators, I don't recall the exact date. As I recall, most of the 91s with 90 build dates had them. 6/91 should have had the Mitsu unit

Neither is really considered better, though most seem to switch to the Mitsubishi unit given the option

There is a belt that fixes most of the squealing/slipping/breaking issues, I'm not sure if it's the one you have. Maybe someone else can chime in on that one
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1.8L Turbo All Wheel Drive Capri... the "GTXR2"


greywolf27030

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    • 1991 XR2, 1992 XR2, 1993 XR2
Re: Alternator Angst
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2021, 08:18:44 AM »

I think the alternator belt you need is Gates 9360. I always have my alternators rebuilt locally to prevent having this problem. You might try a Dayco 17360 also.
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Jack Byrd

John Harrison

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    • 1991 Capri XR2
Re: Alternator Angst
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2021, 09:18:01 AM »

Thanks Rocketman and greywolf27030. It seems I was misinformed about the original alternator. Sadly the replacement happened prior to me getting the car, and the original pulley not reused. I'll check into the other belts. All things being equal, is the best fix using the correct pulley or a wider belt good enough? My lovely spouse gives me a look every time it screeches on startup.
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greywolf27030

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    • 1991 XR2, 1992 XR2, 1993 XR2
Re: Alternator Angst
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2021, 10:50:49 AM »

One of mine started squealing when it turned off cold, gonna be warmer in a week so will look at it then.
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Jack Byrd

blueamber

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Re: Alternator Angst
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2021, 05:18:27 PM »

The alternators in two of my 94`s came out of junk yards, original alts that can be rebuilt.  I also keep a spare...
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greywolf27030

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    • 1991 XR2, 1992 XR2, 1993 XR2
Re: Alternator Angst
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2021, 08:34:07 AM »

This is the correct pulley, but it isn't showing on Amazon right now.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2218406388372134&set=p.2218406388372134&type=3

Thanks Jim Pierce.
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Jack Byrd

John Harrison

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    • 1991 Capri XR2
Re: Alternator Angst
« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2021, 05:33:12 PM »

This is the correct pulley, but it isn't showing on Amazon right now.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2218406388372134&set=p.2218406388372134&type=3
Thanks Jim Pierce.

Thanks -- I ordered a similar one on eBay -- but they were out of stock.

Just found your same one listed at iglobalparts.com!  Will check and order!
« Last Edit: December 01, 2021, 06:43:33 PM by John Harrison »
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