I had my car in the garage with a trickle charger on the battery. I decided to roll up the windows, forgetting it was on charge. I turned on the ignition and the fusible link at the starter blew. Smoke everywhere. I thought I saw some smoke by the alternator as well, but I'm not certain as I was too busy trying to prevent a fire that I could have been wrong.

I replaced the fusible link and reconnected the battery. Instantly the link blew, smoke billowed, a little smoke was around the alternator and the positive and negative wires were really hot as I rushed to disconnect them.

So I now know something is shorted. So I disconnected the alternator (since I saw smoke there), left the fusible link cut (so red wire is not connected) and started investigating. When I connected the battery, my a/c compressor (Vintage Air) would click and engage with the ignition off. So I disconnected it as well. I continued to hear a click on the ac unit under the dash, so I disconnected power to the main unit as well. Everything seemed normal, so I connected another fusible link to test.

I connected the battery and everything seems okay. I turned the motor over and the starter engaged. Fusible link still good at this point. I noticed my headlights (electric) weren't raising, but the interior lights were tuning on. I'm not sure if the actual headlights were turning on. So I decided to connect the positive wire to the alternator and left the two wire plug unplugged. I connected the battery and it blew the fusible link. Smoke billowed. I disconnected the main power wire to the alternator again to be safe and it was really hot.

So, it seems I have an issue with my alternator and possibly my a/c (I really hope not as it's a fairly new Vintage Air unit). Before I continue blowing fusible links with my trial and error method, I want to put this out there to see anyone had any thoughts. What could I have shorted out originally by keeping the trickle charger connected and turning the ignition on? Alternator is my first thought. Apparently A/C could be an issue as well. Apart from taking the alternator to the part store for testing, is there anything I can do to test it for a short at home?

Thanks
Keith

 

I'm not sure the issue stems from the trickle charger being connected. I've done similar things and had no problems - doesn't make sense to me that the charger would have any effect when turning the key on.

It sounds like you should trace the red alternator wire toward the starter and investigate if/how it's connected to the a/c. Definitely leave the a/c disconnected as the clicking when off is curious.

 

I agree, but everything was fine up until the point of turning the ignition on with the charger connected. I have a Vintage Air system that connects directly to the battery. I don't remember the wiring diagram for it but I following the directions. This is the location where I disconnected the power to the A/C, directly at the positive terminal.

Ugh!

 

Also, the wire harness for the starter was replaced about 4 years ago, So I don't expect any issues with it that I didn't create.

Keith

 

Have you looked at your fuse box? Do the power windows operate now?

 

Instead of putting in a new fusible link , put in a resettable fuse/ circut breaker for testing .

Automotive Low Profile ATC ATO Fuse Car Resettable 3A 5A 7.5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A Standard Fuses Manual Reset Fuses Blade Circuit Breaker for Boat Truck SUV Motorcycle 32VDC Fuse

The fuse holder comes with 12 or 14 gauge wire sold separately. Makes life easier.

Where do you have the battery tender attached.

Pull the alternator and have it checked at AutoZone. Just to be sure.

Check the horn relay for shorted wires.






Driver attacked and shot after allegedly ramming into a crowd, a taco stand and a valet stand early Saturday morning. Thirty people are

 

I found the cause but don't know that issues I created. I hooked the battery charger up backwards and have reversed the polarity. Now I have to get a new battery and then see what other issues I created.

If you're wondering how I hooked the battery charger backwards, well.... My dog chewed through the leads and I mistakenly connected the red to ground and black to positive. Dang it!!!!

Keith

 

I would think the charger would return an error - I believe my NOCOs give an indicator light if I reverse the connections.
Hopefully a new battery and fusible links is all that need to be replaced.

 

My trickle charger is very old and is analog.

Thanks
Keith

 

Hello,
Denigrating your dog's character..... nice!!!
Years ago he probably ate your home-work too.
You'll likely hear from his lawyer soon.
Regards....

 

I threw him under the bus due to my frustration. I'll apologize to him.

 

Well, I thought I had everything figured out. Corrected my fusible link and put a new battery in it. It cranked and ran perfectly. I dropped a new DUI distributor in it and got it to fire instantly. Set the timing and took it for a drive. About 10 miles into the drive cruising at about 60 miles an hour I heard a loud pop, big black puff of smoke and the engine died. It’ll turn over and almost act like it’s gonna fire, but doesn’t. Not sure what that indicates, but I fear something turned loose in the motor.

I’m sure I should start a new thread, but thought I would get y’all’s thoughts.

 

OP reposted latest problem/question on a new thread here.