Hi All,
Really appreciate any suggestions re my collector 1981 RX-7 GS.
Original Mitsubishi alternator died a few months ago.
Ordered one from Rocauto that did not fit. Had very experienced mechanic remove original one and try install new one. Fantastic weather here resulted in my being able to take care out from house garage to drive to mechanic who found the Rocauto one did not fit.(Clearly advertised it would). Mechanic showed me.
Extremely annoying and frustrating.
Dropped off original at alternator rebuilding shop. Waiting to hear if rebuild is possible

Any thoughts appreciated as to where I might find one that actually fits.
Thank you!!

 

Did the mechanic say why it did not fit? This was the Rockauto part number that worked for my RX7. When installed pulley was slightly too far rearward but easily fixed with a washer behind pulley.

 

I ordered a high amp alternator from eBay and worked perfectly…..130 amps…..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25414118031...mis&media=COPY

 

I have been fucked enough times with Rock Auto and Rx7 parts that I plead, heed the words of Barry Daniel...

"(Clearly advertised it would)"

I've had decent success with parts for my Silverado. But Rx7 parts from Rock Auto are sketchy to say the least.

 

Mechanic, excellent fellow, had the WEI alternator that I purchased from Rocauto (about $135.) in a vice where he showed me the problem....shaft diameter was not correct size.
I noticed you ordered the AC Delco brand. WEI advertised as 'new' and designed by Mitsubishi (original make). Terribly frustrating. Will be returning.
I may have great news as I received a message from the rebuild shop to pick up my original. I dropped it off there Tuesday afternoon. So maybe my original has been repaired. Will.check in the morning.
Thanks very much for your feedback!! Most appreciated.
Just want to get my RX-7:running again. Fantastic weather here. .no snow yet!!
Combination switch to replace next. No high beams working.

 

Never had an FB, but I've worked on enough SA's to come across different Alt's (all Mitsubishi brand) that have 2 different diameters of motor shafts. Although both Alt's work in the same application, the fan and pulleys don't interchange between the two variants due to the different size shafts.

Looking at the Rock Auto page, I'm guessing that you ordered the bottom one, the WAI global one. This is one of two that does not include any pulleys. So I assume your original alternator has a different diameter motor shaft and your pulleys didn't fit the new alt?

Might be nice if R/A listed the shaft sizes in their specification charts, but I'm not sure they can be expected to track and list every design change that a manufacture may incorporate into one of their parts. This is where knowledge and experience from the customer comes in handy.



The good news is your local electrical shop should be fully capable of rebuilding your original alternator. (and starter for that matter) This is the way its been accomplished for decades but these small local places have slowly been squeezed out of business by lack of demand and large companies accomplishing the rebuilding in mass, in other countries. Look at the description of the other alt's on the R/A page. They almost all say "remanufactured".

It's good to support your local business's and help keep these services around.

 

i did the same and it worked perfectly

 

I was just debating an S4 70amp alt or that 130amp eBay one. Did you have to change any of the electrical/larger gauge wiring to accommodate the 130amp, or was it straight plug and play?

 

Plug and play for me…..

 

Great news. Picked up my repaired alternator earlier today. Was told that it was taken apart to repair corroded bolt where wire connects. Bearings look fine.
Only 61,000 miles on car so that helps. Regulator hopefully will last Approx $135.00.
Will get installed next week..
Combination switch needs replacement as high beams do not work.
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Most appreciated!

 

Your combination switch might work fine if it's only being asked to switch low current for relays which are doing the heavy lifting for modern headlight bulbs. Back in the 80s, Mazda realized they could save a few bucks by routing the electrons through metal switches in the steerig column instead of relays. Aftermarket lighting harnesses replace the wiring at the battery location so the switches only trip relays, making them much more reliable, your headlights much brihter, and your headaches go away.

Definitely a worthwhile pursuit, as you'll be hard pressed to find a NOS steering column switch assembly at this point. Even with relays installed, a good cleaning will be needed to ensure reliable function.

 

Here is the PUTCO harness for the headlights.

 

Thank you Longduck....most appreciated! If I understand correctly, my steering column will not need to be touched (unless for cleaning of combination switch) as that wiring harness conversion is installed under the hood at the battery location.
Currently, my switch pops open my headlights but does not turn on the high beams
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Does that kit include wiring instructions?
Thank you!!
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Yes, you'll need to remove the steering wheel surround to work on the combo switch, and the stalk controls a series of metal reed switches which will need to be cleaned. Some have found careful and thoughtful spraying of contact cleaner in just the right spot is enough, while others have completely removed the combo switch and disassembled it, which provides the best and longest lasting results. Don't lose the little ball detents!

Once the combo switch is good to go, then the under hood relays are very simple to install. Each of the regular beams and high beams get their own relay, with the trigger coming from the existing wiring back to the combo switch. Plug the relays into the harness connectors and set them aside, then remove your headlight lids so you can get to the backs of the bulbs and route the wiring plugs to the headlights carefully. You don't want them to get pinched when the headlight pods move on their hinges. With the headlights removed, unplug the old 3-pin plugs. These will now plug into the ready made harness. Remount the headlights, find a nearby screw to the body for the black ground wires (one at each headlight) and move to the battery.

At the battery, there will be 2× red wire leads which come from the harness and go to Battery +. These supply the current to run the bulbs through the relays. The return is through the black grounds from the earlier step. Know that PUTCO or Black Dragon used a Fusible Link section on their original design which functions as a fuse on the Battery + leads. These are the only fuses in the system which Black Dragon used to sell through Victoria British catalogs. PUTCO may have changed things.

Once all connections are made, reconnect the Battery - and then test the headlights by twisting the combo switch stalk, and pull the stalk toward you to test intermittent brights, push away from you to lock the brights on. You should hear the relays clicking when engaged. Headlight pod extension and retraction operation remains unchanged.

A side benefit to using relays for carrying the heavy load is the ability to use modern, better, brighter bulbs if you so choose. You may find that the additional current through your existing bulbs is enough. Good luck with the install,

 

Thank you for your detailed instructions....most appreciated. I will wait for warmer weather and may find a me Janice to complete, since I am dealing with serious lower back issues.

 

Hi,
Been busy dealing with the loss of a family member but wanted to mention that about 2 weeks ago, I was able to get my repaired original alternator re-installed.
Working fine.
Car only has about 51000 miles.
Now, dealing with Rocauto re my alternator return.
They advertised one that would fit my
1981 rx-7 but that was incorrect website
information. Rocauto says I have to pay return shipping costs as well ...their mistake so absolutely disgusted.
I paid shipping to get that alternator, paid a mechanic to try install, and now have to pay return shipping all because their description that it would fit was wrong.
I just emailed them. If they do not offer to cover shipping costs...about 50.00 Canadian....I will never buy from them again.
Thanks to all who helped here.

Having trouble attaching picture of my 1981 rx-7.

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I've had issues with wrong parts from RockAuto and ran into the thing with having to pay to ship it back. I won't buy from RockAuto any longer.

A bunch of us ran into an issue a few years back with their engine mounts being too big. They don't research if a part fits and only rely on what their vendor tells them.

 

I have learned to not buy anything for S1 or S2. When I got new hubs for my 82 I made sure I spoke with someone before ordering to make sure they were small bearing axle and not large bearing.

Take a guess what I got in the mail.

 

Rocauto is absolutely useless..They do not respond to emails.
I am simply trying to confirm the proper return of the alternator they incorrectly advertised to fit my 81 rx-7.
I will spread the word.

 

Yeah, I got 12a mounts that wouldn't clear and tried to modify them and gave up. I still get stuff from rockauto but don't expect miracles either.

 

Indeed. Their return process is a flow chart based series of questions that generally apply to common issues. Once things get a bit off piste, it can't cope and the only alternative is describing your issue in a form. It's only through their "portal" and you never can speak with a human.

It's almost like they don't really want to help

 

Read my full response.

 

[UOTE=Slow_sevens;12621802]Did the mechanic say why it did not fit? This was the Rockauto part number that worked for my RX7. When installed pulley was slightly too far rearward but easily fixed with a washer behind pulley.

[/QUOTE]
Hello,.
I ordered:
Buyer's Guide : WAI GLOBAL 12278N Alternator / Generator MAZDA 626 1979-1982 MAZDA B2000 1983-1984 MAZDA RX-7 1980-1983

Clearly RockAuto states that would fit my 1981 rx-7.
I finally received an email response from RockAuto. RockAuto completely ignored my concerns and charged me for to and from shipping costs despite advertising incorrectly that the alternator would fit.

I included a 2 page letter with the telephone number and business number of my mechanic. I clearly explained my belief that Rockauto ought to reimburse all shipping costs as they sent me an alternator that did not fit. RockAuto denied any accountability or responsibility. RockAuto has acted unethically. I will NEVER deal with that company again.

​​​​​My message here is intended to help other potential victims of RockAuto.
My statements can easily be objectively confirmed.


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I got factory style from Rockauto years ago. It was Acdelco. I’m now switching to 130 amp alternator. It’s identically looking to factory. Got it on eBay. There’s a company on Google I found that sell the same thing but over 100 more then the eBay one. Have not installed the 130 amp yet so hopefully it works out well.