Alternator Problem Please help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Fort lauderdale fl
Alternator Problem Please help HELP
I have an 84 corvette cfi The other day I noticed that My power steering Fluid was leaking on the alternator and wire and I noticed that The heavy wire that bolts on to the back of the alternator was first bulging then over heating then the plastic burnt off the copper. To the point it almost caught fire. Now my question to all you thirdgeners is the heavy wire that is connected to the back of the alternator where does it connect to I keep reading that it goes straight to the battery but it does not look like it goes directly to the battery Please help very confused :steering: :rofl: :sad: :sad:
[Modified by corvette33063, 4:30 AM 12/16/2003]
[Modified by corvette33063, 4:30 AM 12/16/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Alternator Problem Please help (corvette33063)
The alternator output wire goes directly to the battery through a fusible link. It connects to the jump start bolt directly behind the battery. It sounds like that wire has abraded insulation and is touching ground before it gets to the fusible link which is near the jump start bolt. If it is grounded, then the fusible link has blown because the battery will pass large enough current to blow the fusible link. When the engine is running that wire is hot because the alternator is current limited by its voltage regulator and about 100 amps is flowing through that wire. Best shut the engine off and follow the wire back to the battery to see where it is shorted. If it isn't shorted, then you likely have a battery with a shorted cell which will cause your dash voltmeter to read 10 volts . At 10 volts, the 14 volt alternator will attempt to charge the battery with very high current and maybe not high enough to blow the fusible link but high enough to blister the insulation on the alternator wire.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Fort lauderdale fl
Re: Alternator Problem Please help (corvette33063)
OK i fixed the wire. on the alternator there is a post on the back side which is loose and the wire got very hot at the battery i tested with dmm its getting 14v help i don't want to have a fire :sad: :sad:
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Alternator Problem Please help (corvette33063)
The connection at the alternator has a higher than normal resistance causing it to heat up.
Remove the terminal at the alternator (disconnect the battery FIRST)
and clean the terminal on the wire end with a wire brush.
TIGHTEN the connector on the alternator AND clean that connection as well.
When the connections on BOTH the wire and the alternator are shiny clean, put the wire back on the terminal. Coat the terminal and connector with come dialectric grease to keep corrosion down.
Reinstall the boot cover over the connection and you will be good to go.
I just had to do this on my 84. But my terminal burned all the way off.
Had to drive home in "power conserving" mode to keep from draining the battery.
Good luck with it.
Remove the terminal at the alternator (disconnect the battery FIRST)
and clean the terminal on the wire end with a wire brush.
TIGHTEN the connector on the alternator AND clean that connection as well.
When the connections on BOTH the wire and the alternator are shiny clean, put the wire back on the terminal. Coat the terminal and connector with come dialectric grease to keep corrosion down.
Reinstall the boot cover over the connection and you will be good to go.
I just had to do this on my 84. But my terminal burned all the way off.
Had to drive home in "power conserving" mode to keep from draining the battery.
Good luck with it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 2
From: Latham NY
Re: Alternator Problem Please help (jfb)
The alternator output wire goes directly to the battery through a fusible link. It connects to the jump start bolt directly behind the battery.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: Alternator Problem Please help (Bluevette85)
If your alternator is putting out 14 Volts that is good! If it is anywhere between 13-14.5, your all set! Just figure out what is shorted.
BC
BC
