Antonio Cadiz

Recently I bought a 91 pickup with 225k miles. I went trail riding in it and the battery holder bracket ended up arching on the positive lead of the battery. Needles to say it killed the alternator, and most of the ground. I have replaced most of the ground wires, put a new battery in, and replaced the alternator. The light indicators still show that the alternator is bad. Any suggestions on where to start looking?

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Time to buy a multimeter your going to need some real numbers.

Quite possible in this day and age you have a bad rebuild out of the box it happens all to often

If that is not the case keep working on your ground connections

The load from the shorted battery terminal must have tried grounding back through the alternator and fried something.

Your truck is now running ??

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Normally something like that I think will blow your 80 Amp fuse. I would check it and see what it looks like.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Just curious how you figure it will open the 80 amp fuse ??

Not saying it could not happen.

You will be graded on your answer.

If in fact this little mishap happened as related.

Antonio Cadiz

The truck will run fine, but slowly drains the battery. Anyone know where i can just buy a new full wiring kit? Also, the alternator is now bad. Luckily I got a good one from a buddy. I have a feeling that once I get the wiring redone and a new alt. in it, the problem will hopefully be fixed.

I appreciate the help.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

As far as buying a new harness, dealer would be my best guess. I would check the bone yard. I think it is part of the head light harness if I recall right and is easily replaced. Not as bad of a job as it may sound.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

Wyoming...I had to replace an alternator that caught fire from a power steering leak. It blew the 80 amp fuse and my guess is it drew maximum current blowing the fuse. Also anytime some one crosses jumper cables, it tends to blow the 80 amp fuse. Just seems to me if you get the positive side grounded, the current just about has to go thru the fuse. Electrical is not my strongest area, I understand it just enough to get my by.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

In most cases you might be correct

But your going from the positive battery terminal direct to ground via way of the battery hold down.

Even if all the fuses in the vehicle open current continues to flow at maximum battery output .

Till either the battery is completely discharged The hold down gets hot enough and melts

The negative cable gets hot enough it melts opening the circuit .

Meanwhile the current searches out the easiest ground path.

This is why Alternators and ECM`s some times get fried when sparks happen.

Short the B terminal on the alternator to ground that more then likely will open your 80 amp fuse.