Resolved GM alternator wiring 1999 specific.

[my98gsx]

Figures my car would be the oddball... I just finished a GM alt swap in my buddy's 1997 and wanted to do it to my 1999. I noticed I do not have the black wire with yellow stripe and I found out that 1999s are different (always something...)

So in my search I found this document from jayracing which talks about wiring in a 50 ohm resistor due to no generator relay in this year. My question is, is this needed? If so why? And if not has anyone with a 1999 wired the blue wire directly to the GM plug w.o. the resistor? Thanks - linking the sources in the photos.

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[Tyeler18]

The charging light bulb will simulate the load of the 50 ohm resistor. I'm not sure why they wired in a resistor really, the only purpose of the alternator relay is as a redundant circuit if the charging light bulb were to fail. You should be fine without the resistor, the circuit just wont charge if the bulb were to burn out.

 

[luv2rallye]

Yes Tyeler18 is correct. The "generator" relay (which is actually a resistor in series with a diode) is just a backup should the dash charge light burn out (to supply the alternator's field coil with needed voltage so the alternator will put out). It is not needed as long as the dash charge light works (can check when key is first turned to ON).

My 99 doesn't have one either. The dash charge light's blue wire must go to the alternator's "L" terminal.

 

[my98gsx]

Thanks for the quick responses, really appreciated.