Ok so the other day i was driving home from work when i noticed the alternator quit working. made it home on the battery barely and running like crap. Looked and found the 80 amp fuse was mutilated. so i replaced that and nothing changed then i changed the alternator. nothing changes. then i pulled my head out and checked thke 10amp engine fuse to see it was blown. I replaced and and the alternator kicked on this time the charge light and brake light flickering yet volt guage reading around 14.5 to 15. Anybody have any idea what this could be causing this? melted wire or is there a common cause for this? thanks

 

Check the connector to the alternator for debris, it's in a harsh spot. Mine was filled with gunk. Also clean the contacts and apply dielectric grease.

You can also do the big 3 upgrade to your car's electrical, which is pretty much guaranteed to make it run more electrically efficient. Highly recommend. Just google "big 3 upgrade"

Sounds like you may have a dying voltage reg on your alternator though, or just a grimey/loose connection.

 

thanks man, I actually traced my issue to a grounded out 12v wire going from the multi battery isolator to the 3 batterys in the bed I have in it for jump starting. I guess i should disclose its an offroad recovery vehicle and assist truck for our towing company. ANyways after fixing that issue the alternator is charging imagine that. Only strange issue that cam about now is the brake light and battery light flicker when the system pulls any extra draw like the turn signals or high beams or going to high on the heater fan etc.. Its really strange because the voltage gauge isnt effected any more then normal from the draw

 

Nice that you found your problem!

As for the new issue.. Perhaps the alternator voltage regulator is shot after trying to charge a short? Do you have a spare (known working) alternator you could try to see if that fixes it?

Also I believe there are places that can do an alternator test for free- I think Autozone offers that.

At the very least you could check your connections to the alternator. Recently fixed mine just by cleaning out and putting dielectric grease on the connector/plug that goes into the back of the alt.

Good luck

 

Be nice to getsome real time Voltage readings to see what is really going on.

Those lights flicker like that most often a poor connection.