Alternator?
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Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 177
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From: Spring TX
Closure
Sorry to revive this thread, but wanted to add closure for those who may search the forums for alternator-related issues later.
Per jfb's advice, I tested the resistance between the positive battery terminal and the battery connection on the back of the alternator. The reading from my meter was the same reading I got when touching the probes of the multimeter together. However, when I tested the resistance between the positive terminal and the alternator, the needle would swing wildly before settling on a reading. I thought it was just my meter since it is fairly old and was cheap in the first place.
When we started to remove the nut from the battery connection on the alternator, the cable broke right where the wire itself is attached to the connector at the end of the wire. It's not like it was twisted or torqued in a hard manner - the nut hadn't even broken loose yet. So it looks like the wire had sustained some damage either previously, or over time.
So I thought the cable may have been my problem - but there's more. The nut itself would not come off because the post inside the alternator had come loose. Whenever you tried to remove the nut, the whole post would spin inside the alternator.
So basically, there were two issues. We had to attach a new connector to the wire that runs to the battery post on the alternator. And I had to replace the alternator as well - AC Delco unit - thanks for all the advice! Thankfully, my dad's friend is an electrical engineer so he fixed the wiring and made sure the wires were tucked safely back into the protective tubing (the wires were in the tubing before, but there were a ton of open areas along it where it had not been closed with zip ties).
Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to give me their advice - this newbie really appreciates it.
Per jfb's advice, I tested the resistance between the positive battery terminal and the battery connection on the back of the alternator. The reading from my meter was the same reading I got when touching the probes of the multimeter together. However, when I tested the resistance between the positive terminal and the alternator, the needle would swing wildly before settling on a reading. I thought it was just my meter since it is fairly old and was cheap in the first place.
When we started to remove the nut from the battery connection on the alternator, the cable broke right where the wire itself is attached to the connector at the end of the wire. It's not like it was twisted or torqued in a hard manner - the nut hadn't even broken loose yet. So it looks like the wire had sustained some damage either previously, or over time.
So I thought the cable may have been my problem - but there's more. The nut itself would not come off because the post inside the alternator had come loose. Whenever you tried to remove the nut, the whole post would spin inside the alternator.
So basically, there were two issues. We had to attach a new connector to the wire that runs to the battery post on the alternator. And I had to replace the alternator as well - AC Delco unit - thanks for all the advice! Thankfully, my dad's friend is an electrical engineer so he fixed the wiring and made sure the wires were tucked safely back into the protective tubing (the wires were in the tubing before, but there were a ton of open areas along it where it had not been closed with zip ties).
Again, thanks to everyone who took the time to give me their advice - this newbie really appreciates it.
Last edited by jeebs; May 22, 2007 at 03:20 PM. Reason: evidently I can't spell
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 198
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From: VA BEACH VA
As I am writing this my 89 coupe is sitting in the driveway after leaving me high and dry a couple hours ago. While sitting at a light the engine started running rough and it just died and the engine wouldn't even turn over. Acouple nice guys helped push my car into a lady's driveway while I tried to figure out what happened. After letting it sit for awhile it finally started and I got home. Turnes out my alternator decided to fry itself. My son is on his way to bring me another one and Life will once again be good.
