Saturn Alternator question

[ACWgraphics]

Heya ive upgraded my alternator to a 160amp saturn alternator on my 2g DSM. It is self-regulating and the reading that i have done, i have heard all i have to do is hook up a fused 4gauge cable to the positive terminal to my battery.

It seems when this is done my gauge cluster and other electronics wig out, if the original wiring is connected along with the 4 gauge everything is fine.

question is, is there anything wrong with doing it this way? What would my problem be?

Also what is the best way to run this 4 gauge wire, does anyone have pictures of there engine bay? I ran it straight up from the alternator across the valve cover and along the strut tower brace to the battery.

Thank you for any replies.

 

[Texas gst]

Just run the wires so they're not "in the way" of anything. Shouldn't affect anything just make sure everything is good and tight and no wires are getting a bad connection. I'm guessing you put a new pigtailnto work on that alternator so make SURE it is a good connection. Sounds like a bad ground maybe so check your pigtail connection

 

[ACWgraphics]

I just find it odd if the factory positive wiring is reconnected everything is fine, if it was a bad ground, it wouldn't have anything to do with the positive wiring.

 

[Texas gst]

are you using the original pigtail on both? have you checked the new alt. when it's hooked up to make sure it is working right? I was assuming you already checked the new alt. but make sure you check it on the car hooked up.

 

[SpawnedX]

What size fuse are you using?

Only thing I can see it being is an incorrectly pinned out pigtail.

 

[ACWgraphics]

Using a 175 amp fuse. Not sure what u mean by incorrectly pined out pig tail, its a self regulating alternator, all im hooking up are positive leads to it.

The problem occurs when the factory power leads are disconnected.

 

[Texas gst]

There's a plug on the alt also. You can't just run the main wire only. Doing that is like hooking up just a positive battery cable. Won't work. Get a pigtail for that alternator and connect it also.

 

[ACWgraphics]

According to these install instructions i need no pigtail, ive read other forums that say the same thing.

Saturn 160AMP alternator installed with GREAT RESULTS!!

 

[thomcasey]

This is from the seller's site. Might need something else.

No other wires needed!(In some cases, a keyed ignition source is needed to supply power to the voltage regulator)

 

[ACWgraphics]

Think im just going to leave the factory and 4 gauge on the positive post on the alternator, it seems to be working fine this way, was just hoping that someone that has done this mod could chip in.

Everywhere i read no one is running a keyed ignition source to the regulator, so i don't believe this needs to be done.

 

[black_gst]

i have the saturn Alt with the self exciting reg and i have no pigtail and i only hooked up the factory power wires, no other wires at all.