[Landseer]

There is a small exciter wire that runs from the dash to CE panel, through the 14 pin connector in the engine compartment, on to the alternator within a harness. That wire carries a bit of current so-as to excite the alternator at idle RPM. I'd begin by checking that wire for continuity along its route.

The alternator will usually self-excite at moderate RPM even if the wire isn't intact.

It is also possible the alternator brushes are about worn-out and its the motor vibration that is causing them to contact the spinning shaft. I've had one like that on an 86 car. It progressed to not kicking in at all, unless tapped with a hammer.

When the 86, when driving it, isn't charging the battery, then the battery will eventually start to fade. The voltmeter moves slowly down towards 10V. Then the dash lights will all flash for a while, then the car dies. Wife and daughter had this happen on trip from our old home base in Richmond to VA Beach. Just made it to the destination when it shut down.

Solution was a new alternator. Due to timing, I had Advance Auto order a Bosch factory rebuilt Bosch unit. (comes in a Bosch box, if not, send it back!) Bosch rebuilds the wear parts of the alternator to a high standard. They had one in stock in their Roanoke warehouse, so I ordered it at 5 pm and picked it up at the store the next morning before 8.


The delco alternator for, say, an 88 camaro, rated at 105A, will substitute, with minor shimming of the mount, but only on the 16V cars. The 32V mount is much different.


JHowell on rennlist recently posted that a certain motorcraft unit, maybe from a ford contour, would work on later cars. Other than that, nobody else has found an aftermarket cross-swap.

The rebuilt Bosch is the answer for the 32V cars. But I think you may have a problem with your exciter wire.