Crazy sparks from battery, after installing rebuilt alternator...
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Crazy sparks from battery, after installing rebuilt alternator...
In regards to a '96 CE, with LT4...
Just put in a rebuilt alternator, and I get crazy sparks when hooking up the negative cable. I replaced the alternator, the alternator connector, the battery, and battery terminal bolts. I should add, that I used butt connectors on the connector. I prefer to solder them in, but one wire was real thick, and just couldn't get a satisfying connection with solder...so I went with butt connectors, and shrink wrapped 'em. The battery was bought a few months ago, but not used. Kept it charged on float charger, but had it checked out at the place I bought it at earlier today. It's rated 690CCA, but measured 792 CCA.
Any tips on where to start the troubleshooting?
Thanks!
Just put in a rebuilt alternator, and I get crazy sparks when hooking up the negative cable. I replaced the alternator, the alternator connector, the battery, and battery terminal bolts. I should add, that I used butt connectors on the connector. I prefer to solder them in, but one wire was real thick, and just couldn't get a satisfying connection with solder...so I went with butt connectors, and shrink wrapped 'em. The battery was bought a few months ago, but not used. Kept it charged on float charger, but had it checked out at the place I bought it at earlier today. It's rated 690CCA, but measured 792 CCA.
Any tips on where to start the troubleshooting?
Thanks!
The following users liked this post:
racerseks (04-10-2018)
The following users liked this post:
racerseks (04-10-2018)
#4
Something is grounding. Check your wiring that you touched. I had the exact same problem on a 1991 that I replaced the engine in. Turned out my positive battery cable was grounding at the starter. Hell of an arch when I tried to connect the neg terminal on the battery.
The following users liked this post:
racerseks (04-10-2018)
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#6
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Yea, I hope to do that later tonight, but raining all day and night here. Waiting for a break. I've seen a few mention the starter...never touched it. Could it have been moved simply by tugging on the positive cable? I didn't pull it very hard, but it was hard getting the new terminals in. Yea, same here... would make a decent makeshift welder. Thanks!
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Oh yea...Is the starter down towards the transmission on the passenger side? Never had to mess with it on one of these...always been pretty bulletproof. Thanks!
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Any thoughts on whether I might just have got a dud? Wondering if I should take the alternator out and have it checked, before the store closes. I'm not the fastest guy at this stuff, and might run short on time. Thanks!
#10
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#12
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#13
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jan 2014
Location: Downers Grove Illinois
Posts: 2,475
Received 251 Likes
on
240 Posts
That is why I suggest you disconnect the positive terminal from the alternator and try it again. If the alternator is shorted out internally when you connect the battery after disconnecting the alternator the sparks will stop.
The following users liked this post:
racerseks (04-10-2018)
#14
Le Mans Master
Live well,
SJW
#15
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I gotcha! I read your reply a little too quickly the first time, but I think I follow now. Thanks!
#16
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I'm usually doing this stuff late at night under a flashlight, and when I runj into a snag, most forum members all long asleep...So please keep the tips coming! I'll have more things to try when I am out there at 3:30am,
Thanks!
#17
Race Director
Do what Jim said and find out.
#18
Safety Car
Here's my trick when I think there might be too much current flow, due to a short circuit or a bad component somewhere. Solder (or clip) two wires to an old (but good) headlight. Connect the headlight to the two wires in question. If the headlight shines bright, you've got a short, but nothing will spark or smoke! The may be a small glow to the headlight to indicate a good circuit.
Don't try putting an amp meter into the circuit.
Don't try putting an amp meter into the circuit.
#19
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Going back over the newest replies, but trying to beat the rain...and not much time left.
My replacement connector looks a little messed up, so could be it. Can anyone tell me what the three wires in this four pin connector are for? It might help to understand what's going on. Can't tell if any are touching each other etc., but they are a bit out of shape. Thought I might try this angle before the suggestion of disconnecting that lead, and trying again...Forgive me, but it sparked so much, it took a chunk out of my terminal immediately upon contact, and I am kinda scared I might mess something else up.
Thanks!
My replacement connector looks a little messed up, so could be it. Can anyone tell me what the three wires in this four pin connector are for? It might help to understand what's going on. Can't tell if any are touching each other etc., but they are a bit out of shape. Thought I might try this angle before the suggestion of disconnecting that lead, and trying again...Forgive me, but it sparked so much, it took a chunk out of my terminal immediately upon contact, and I am kinda scared I might mess something else up.
Thanks!
#20
Race Director
Going back over the newest replies, but trying to beat the rain...and not much time left.
My replacement connector looks a little messed up, so could be it. Can anyone tell me what the three wires in this four pin connector are for? It might help to understand what's going on. Can't tell if any are touching each other etc., but they are a bit out of shape. Thought I might try this angle before the suggestion of disconnecting that lead, and trying again...Forgive me, but it sparked so much, it took a chunk out of my terminal immediately upon contact, and I am kinda scared I might mess something else up.
Thanks!
My replacement connector looks a little messed up, so could be it. Can anyone tell me what the three wires in this four pin connector are for? It might help to understand what's going on. Can't tell if any are touching each other etc., but they are a bit out of shape. Thought I might try this angle before the suggestion of disconnecting that lead, and trying again...Forgive me, but it sparked so much, it took a chunk out of my terminal immediately upon contact, and I am kinda scared I might mess something else up.
Thanks!
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; 04-10-2018 at 09:11 PM.