Passed this project on to Brandon today. I gave him a deal. Nice to pass this on to a fellow 88 Mercury Cougar enthusiast. Some of the interior parts on this car actually came from him. He also has an 88 with parts on it that I had sold to that car's previous owner. Good bye Old friend.
The "third wire" is from the S (Stator) alternator output to the S (Switch) input on the regulator. This causes the regulator to Switch Off the Alt/Batt/Idiot light when the alternator has output. Cars with an ammeter don't use this wire.
That makes perfect sense as both these cars are 88 XR-7s with gauges and the parts car was a LS with the digital dash.
"What is the small wire on an alternator? The small wire that loops from one part of the alternator to another is the sensing wire, responsible for determining the output of the alternator. It’s an important piece of the wiring system and makes sure the electrical systems and the engine itself operate correctly."
Yes, my Black is very jealous of the Red one. The Black one blew the Alternator a few weeks back. Now it will drain the battery sitting overnight. I have tried different batteries so I know that is not the problem. Right now, I'm thinking possibly starter or solenoid. What do you think ?
I have to move both cars today as I'm pretty sure I have better door glass somewhere up in my loft. I have too much stuff in my loft ! Canadian 87 and 88 Cougars owners should contact me as I know have too much
I drive my Pontiac friends crazy with my Mercury stuff My other obsession is,
The Canadian Made Pontiacs of the 60s looked like the US cars but were 100% Chevy Impalas underneath. 6 inches shorter than a Bonneville and about 3 inches shorter than a Catalina. This one is the original 350 Chev motor with a powerglide (2 speed) transmission. Only about 1000 Canadian convertibles made that year.
