Help with Alternator plug :)

[AaronFL]

Hi,
I posted a few days ago about having a problem with my alternator. I purchased one from eBay that stated it was for 97-02 vipers. I took my alternator out today and noticed that the plug in the back was different. Pictured below is the eBay on on the left and mine on the right. Ugggggh. Did they use different alternators for different years? I noticed the wire out of my alternator runs a few inches and then there is another connector and wire that runs the rest of the distance (to the pcm I am guessing). Is it possible to swap out that short wire with one that fits this connector? The part numbers on the alternators are also different. Mine is TN121000-4221 and the eBay one is Tn121000-4360. I was really hoping to get this swapped out today, but it looks like that is not the case. Please help

[99RT10&GTS]

Think you got a Gen I alt. there just checked mine. Looks exactly the same.

[AaronFL]

Oh poop! Did you ever find the Gen 2 alternator? I'll take it if you have it.

[99RT10&GTS]

I will go back and look for it. I will find it this weekend.

[AaronFL]

So, I got a reply from Tom Sessions on the "other" site. It looks like the alternator my 2001 had in it is actually for a 92-97 and the alternator I purchased is correct for my 2001. I just need to get a wire harness for the correct connector. Hmmmm...it's all in the details.

[99RT10&GTS]

Ok. Thats weird.

[AaronFL]

Yeah...this is weird. Since I have my alternator out, I am going to have it bench tested tomorrow. I sent Tom Sessions a private message to get more info. He knows a lot about my particular car. He was good friends with the previous owner and did most of the work on it. Tom was really helpful giving me a history about the car. The engine in it is not original to the car, so that may be the reason for the different alternator.

[AJ02]

The alternator you bought is correct for a late Gen II. I just changed the one in my 02 and it is like the one on the left in your post.

[Dirtysocks]

I hope your engine is a gen 2. 2002-2005 any engine dodge rams have the connector you need, there are probably more cars, but this I'm certain of.

[AaronFL]

AJ02, I just read your post. I am glad you got your problem worked out! Thanks for the response.

Apparently there are 2 different types of plugs for these Denso alternators on Vipers. In the Viper part catalog, there are two alternators that fit the Gen 2 Vipers:

4848662
4848662AB

The difference is the plug, with the "AB" model having the square plug. I ordered a new harness part number 04848285AC. It is the shorter wire that wraps over the alternator and plugs in the back. If all goes as planned, this should allow me to use the 4848662AB alternator. The harness is supposed to be here Wednesday so I guess we will see.

[AaronFL]

Originally Posted by Dirtysocks

I hope your engine is a gen 2. 2002-2005 any engine dodge rams have the connector you need, there are probably more cars, but this I'm certain of.

I am still trying to find out more info about the engine. I was told the engine was new and installed when the car had 10k miles. It was raced for a few years in ViperDays by Nancy Stein. Tom Sessions knew a lot about it, but I am still trying to get more details. I know it has a 708 cam, forged internals, striker heads..."atleast that is what I was told". It definitely sounds like a 708 cam. I should make a thread on here to call-out anyone who might have raced with her who know more about it.

2001 Dodge Viper Idle with Corsa Exhaust and Belanger Headers - YouTube