Alternator Trouble, Glowing with Fire Options

[Random_Stranger]

Ok so I am driving, noticed a burning smell. Traced the scent to my alternator. Now I am guessing it is the positive cable, as the wiring harness seems to be responsible for charging the battery. Anyways, I noticed that the little flat piece of metal that goes to the alternator was Glowing!!! It was burning the little rubber cap and I can see the bolt that secures it is charred as well. I am guessing this is not normal but I have no idea why this is happening and how it can be resolved. Any exact idea why this is and how I can fix it?

Thanks

[stephen_lee]

whoa, uhm, that didn't blow a fuse? wow mabe your alt went out and its giving ground to that, or your alt to battery wire grounded out somewhere

[99GT]

I had that problem. Solder in a new power wire, and replace the alt. It should be failing, that happened to me.

[Random_Stranger]

I had that problem. Solder in a new power wire, and replace the alt. It should be failing, that happened to me.

Damn! For real? This is a new alternator. It is under warranty because I got it at Autozone so...... I dunno. I guess I can take it in to someone because I don't do electrical. I don't have a soldering gun or anything and never did that before. Crap....

[99GT]

Call a friend. Get the alternator tested.

[GriffGirl]

Get the alt tested at Autozone. Sounds like it's putting out too much - that would be a bad regulator (part of the alt). I just had my very brand new alt fail on me for the same reason. Exchanged it on warranty, right there in the parking lot, and so far so good on the new one. Be prepared to pull the alt to have it bench tested if the little plug-in tester thingie they use comes back okay.

[Random_Stranger]

Thanks Michelle, but we got it!

This is what happened.


When I got my new alternator, I tightened it too tight and broke the plastic that goes around the base part that the bolt secures. Eventually, it became loose down there and one part of the metal tab was getting all the power, rather than being disbursed amongst it all. So it did fry up more of that plastic insulation, and I need to replace that metal tab from the ground or the wires, plus the alternator. It is ok for now, but not recommended I keep it like this.

Still though, in my engine overhaul class....... It was pretty nice to see individuals take time to go and take a few laps around my car, as they never seen anything that resembles a GT-Four in their life!! LOL

Made some new friends today over it, and got a compliment last night from a guy who rev'd at me (Eclipse GST 96-99') just to tell me my car looks bad ass. :-D

[Random_Stranger]

Hey guys. For wiring the harnesses or the ground or whatever for the alternator, is there anything special I should be made aware of before I start?

I am planning on soldering it. I just bought the gun, a new harness, and some solder wire. So anything special to look out for, and is it fairly simple to do? I would like to get an idea of what I am dealing with here. I know the battery must be disconnected as a safety precaution and such.

[stephen_lee]

if your just adding a wire between the alt and battery use a 80 amp fuse, if your actually going through the harness i'd get a larger gauge wire in tere

[lagos]

i was just driving my car and noticed my voltage was going down. I made it home and pop the hood to find a whole bunch of smoke. seems my alt decided to die exactly 1 month past its 1yr warranty.