So i am looking to try and make sure my electrical system is in top shape as i have had some voltage issues and current draws (hopefully all in the past)
i just swapped my alternator with the one that was in my parts car.
now when it was in my parts car the guage was showing close to 15v,
now it is in my car it is 13.5 to 13.9v
so not bad, but definately lower than it was in the other car.

so i am looking at 2 things.

firstly swapping the alternator noise suppressor.
where exactly is this located?

and secondly looking at the big 3 wiring upgrade.

now number 1 is easy upgrade. extra short wire in the boot.

number 2. where is the engine ground strap located?
is there even one? or is the engine grounded via the the engine mounts?
also when swapping the alternator it does not seem that there is a ground wire that matches that of the big b+ cable.
no big ground cable i assume it is grounded by the alternator housing and the mounting bracket.


number 3. PITA to try and run an extra cable the entire way.....

 

The noise suppressor is under the car to the outside car direction from the alternator , it's a tall round cylinder , not all X300s have this from reading others

It is the small wires you attached to the alternator and there is a proper place to put them on your alternator shell , I ask a professional alternator rebuild shop and would have the refresh my memory

Someone in England had a great pic as installed from above with no engine or alternator

" 13.5 to 13.9v " is on the low end of good so will have to think about it , round 2 wire connector as you placed it on alternator cleaned and maybe with abrasive action ?

The engine ground strap goes from the starter lower mount bolt to the car frame rail

B1MCP has a good pic of it , 13 mm shallow socket on a 3 inch extension and 10 mm socket on the car frame before you dive under there . you may have to pluck the oil dip stick tube out of the way and of course something is attached to the tube , ensure you have dip stick tube properly reinstalled as can error getting into seal