79 wont start
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 3
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So I pulled a bone head move today. I had to remove the alternator to replace the power steering pump. When I reinstalled it and started the car, it ran for about 30 seconds and died. I then realized I forgot to reconnect the alt wires, which the red wire was pretty warm. I reconnected the wires and then realized an inline fuse had blown, fixed that and it immediately blew. Any ideas on what I may fried? i checked all the fuses in the fuse box. I did get the inline to not blow and now it just wont crank, no clicking.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Apr 15, 2026 at 01:25 AM.
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If your burning up fusible links. You have a direct short to ground. Are you sure that positive wire on the alternator isn't touching the case? The neg. Wire is on the case and not touching the red wire? Nothing is pinched?
And welcome to the forum!
And welcome to the forum!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 3
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Does not appear to be a pinched wire and hot is not touching anything. However, it may have been grounded when it was disconnected and I started the car. It possible it burned a wire when that happened. I am going to try and trace the wires later today.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Thunder Bay
That alternator wire is connected directly to the battery. You likely had (or have) it connected directly to ground which would burn out the wire and/fusible link. Look at the bright side. You didn't burn down the car. 
