A/C compressor smoking bad when engaged

[Legacy777]

Those alternators from autozone and other parts stores are typically crap. My recommendation would be go to a pick & pull junk yard and get a used one there from a newer subaru. The newer style is a only a two wire plug, but you can get the electrical connector/plug and retrofit it to your Legacy.

You can try taking the autozone one back for a replacement, but from what I've read from others.....they can sometimes deal with this type of stuff repeatedly. For me, it's worth paying a little more money to get something that I don't have to constantly fuck with.

If it were me....I'd try and find a working Subie alternator off a newer subie and swap the plugs over to the newer style.

[free5ty1e]

That's a good idea; I have the replacement Duralast and am confident I can get Autozone to replace it whenever it fails, and it's easy enough to perform the operation... but if just grabbing a newer alternator from a wrecked WRX is an option then I'm interested... hmm.

Any newer Subaru alternator that looks about the same size should work, once I find the appropriate alternator plug adapter...? Any idea where I find the adapter?

[Legacy777]

You need to cut the plug off from the engine that plugs into the alternator and will have to merge it to your existing electrical harness.

[free5ty1e]

You need to cut the plug off from the engine that plugs into the alternator and will have to merge it to your existing electrical harness.

Ah -- ok, gotcha! Sounds simple enough. If this alternator gives me any more trouble I may just end up returning it and going the WRX alternator route.

Thanks!

[free5ty1e]

Got an alternator from a tribeca from my mechanic, score! Includes the 3pin connector and pigtail. I'll take a photo...anyone know what the three pins/wires are for?

Looks like it has:
Black with red stripe
White with red stripe
White with black stripe
...or did I perhaps end up with a different 3pin connector pigtail here not for an alternator?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4

[free5ty1e]

Actually, this seems appropriate to post as a new topic at this point so.... bam:
Alternator from Tribeca - 3pin connector?