Gents,
Hoping you can help me diagnose an electrical issue. My MSP crapped out on me in the midst of prepping our house for baby #2 so my time to be without my DD (and time diagnosing said DD) is pretty limited. Here's what's going on...
1. Car started flashing the dash battery light on start, but would go out within 1/4mi of driving. Assumed battery was getting weak. Car was also slow to start, supporting my weak battery conclusion.
2. After two days of this, car was dead. No power to the car, including gauge cluster.
3. Installed new battery, same issue. No power to the car.
4. Found 100A fusible link was blown...surprised the hell out of me.
5. Replaced fusible link, connected battery. Immediately heard popping similar to a MIG welder and smoke. Later found this was coming from the Alternator. The top of the bracket that houses the positive terminal of the alternator was glowing red. To be more specific, this is the "L" bracket on the back of the alternator. At the top of that bracket there is a bolt and apparently it had arc'd, removing the bolt at the top.
My question is, where do I go from here? I'm afraid there is a bigger issue, bad ground maybe? I was not aware that the alternator "should" have power with the engine/ignition off.
Some history....
Car has always seemed to have an electrical gremlin. Headlights/dash lights dimming randomly, rough idle with accessories, overcharging (18v) if run through a decent puddle (blowing both low-beams), etc. I'm hesitant to install a new alternator for fear that it will eat that one too. Any help is appreciated.
Hoping you can help me diagnose an electrical issue. My MSP crapped out on me in the midst of prepping our house for baby #2 so my time to be without my DD (and time diagnosing said DD) is pretty limited. Here's what's going on...
1. Car started flashing the dash battery light on start, but would go out within 1/4mi of driving. Assumed battery was getting weak. Car was also slow to start, supporting my weak battery conclusion.
2. After two days of this, car was dead. No power to the car, including gauge cluster.
3. Installed new battery, same issue. No power to the car.
4. Found 100A fusible link was blown...surprised the hell out of me.
5. Replaced fusible link, connected battery. Immediately heard popping similar to a MIG welder and smoke. Later found this was coming from the Alternator. The top of the bracket that houses the positive terminal of the alternator was glowing red. To be more specific, this is the "L" bracket on the back of the alternator. At the top of that bracket there is a bolt and apparently it had arc'd, removing the bolt at the top.
My question is, where do I go from here? I'm afraid there is a bigger issue, bad ground maybe? I was not aware that the alternator "should" have power with the engine/ignition off.
Some history....
Car has always seemed to have an electrical gremlin. Headlights/dash lights dimming randomly, rough idle with accessories, overcharging (18v) if run through a decent puddle (blowing both low-beams), etc. I'm hesitant to install a new alternator for fear that it will eat that one too. Any help is appreciated.
Managed to get it back on the road tonight.
