Alternator reinstall quick question.

[1LE]

Well, my alternator adventure has been a debacle all the way around so far... FINALLY have a replacement in my hands now (probably been 4-6 weeks since I started this process). I now have a genuine Mitsu part instead of the Bosch that came out of the car weeks ago.

The problem is that I *think* it is a little different... The basic casing looks identical (as far as I can remember, mine went away weeks ago), has the voltage regulator connection in the same place, positive terminal/stud in the same place, etc. However, I do NOT remember there being a second stud/terminal looking thing on the old unit. The new unit has this extra one on the same side as the positive terminal, but towards the "back" of the car (as unit appears when in the car). If it wasn't smaller than the positive one, I'd think it's for a ground (which I don't seem to have any ground wires in that area to attach to it).

Anyone know what it's for? Is it something used on other models, but not used on the Eclipse ('95 GSX in question here)?

 

[tsi1991awd]

Hey bro, I just did an alternator job on my 91 Talon TSI last Saturday. The old one I took out had the positive battery stud, along with the smaller one in the back. The smaller one wasn't used and there wasn't a cable around to hook to it. The new alterator (Mitsu) had the same thing. I'm not sure what its for, but its not used. Don't hook a ground to it

You have the correct alternator...the one I took out of the car was a Mitsu as well, so maybe the Bosch one just didn't have it.

 

[cano86]

That small stud in back is only for holding a small bracket that the positive wire has That's how it was in my car when I replaced the alternator I left it of when I put the new one theres no need for it since the positive wire is not even that long. I guess they are just trying to prevented from touching the header pipe

 

[1LE]

Thanks guys! Makes me feel a whole lot better! Was worried that something weird was going on!

On my car, there was a zip tie looped around one of the "legs" that the pivot bolt goes through, and the wiring was held out of the way with that. Must have been due to the Bosch issing the stud/bracket for holding the wiring...