keep burning up alternators
#1
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 438
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From: Wisconsin
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 5.7 TPI L98
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" with 4.11
keep burning up alternators
the parts guy said he is gonna stop letting me exchange my lifetime warranty because i got something wrong with my car. My alternator only lasts 6 months. Im on my third one. There are a few splices going to the pigtail connector. There is a brown wire and a red wire coming from the firewall that connects to the pig tail. What do these wires do? Is there a way to have my alternator work like an old one, and just charge all the time (1 wire alt?)
My cars wiring is kinda weird with the different mods and stuff i deleted over the years. I just want an alternator that will keep my car at 12+ volts all the time.. any ideas what im burning up??
My cars wiring is kinda weird with the different mods and stuff i deleted over the years. I just want an alternator that will keep my car at 12+ volts all the time.. any ideas what im burning up??
Last edited by 2QUIK4U; 07-03-2009 at 01:27 PM. Reason: spelling
#2
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: West Virginia
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: 5.0 Litre H.O Modified
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Limited Slip Posi-Trac
Re: keep burning up alternators
There are only a limited number of things to cause this.
1) The Battery is bad. It may test ok and still have a plate shorting problem. If the battery is loose and gets josseled around, or if it has been dropped ,turned upside down etc.
2) There is a grounding problem. The engine must be grounded to the body. Probablly a woven strap behind the engine block.
3) A wiring harness problem. Check to see if any fuses have been defeated by a conductor being placed across the fuse.
4) The altenator is dynamic. It operates by an electrical current being supplied to it. This current sets up an electromagnetic field. The stronger the field, the more electric current produced. So check for good connections. Finnall the alenator has an amp rating. not all models uses the same type. My 1984 trans am has a 140 amp altenator. The cheap off the shelf type is around 75 amps. This is because my Trans Am came with an electric fan and was loaded with all the bells and whistles. The alenator will charge constantlly if it can't keep up. This burn up the battery also.
Hope this helps
1) The Battery is bad. It may test ok and still have a plate shorting problem. If the battery is loose and gets josseled around, or if it has been dropped ,turned upside down etc.
2) There is a grounding problem. The engine must be grounded to the body. Probablly a woven strap behind the engine block.
3) A wiring harness problem. Check to see if any fuses have been defeated by a conductor being placed across the fuse.
4) The altenator is dynamic. It operates by an electrical current being supplied to it. This current sets up an electromagnetic field. The stronger the field, the more electric current produced. So check for good connections. Finnall the alenator has an amp rating. not all models uses the same type. My 1984 trans am has a 140 amp altenator. The cheap off the shelf type is around 75 amps. This is because my Trans Am came with an electric fan and was loaded with all the bells and whistles. The alenator will charge constantlly if it can't keep up. This burn up the battery also.
Hope this helps
#3
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 408
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From: newark, De
Car: 85 trans am
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt rear 3:70
Re: keep burning up alternators
There are only a limited number of things to cause this.
1) The Battery is bad. It may test ok and still have a plate shorting problem. If the battery is loose and gets josseled around, or if it has been dropped ,turned upside down etc.
2) There is a grounding problem. The engine must be grounded to the body. Probablly a woven strap behind the engine block.
3) A wiring harness problem. Check to see if any fuses have been defeated by a conductor being placed across the fuse.
4) The altenator is dynamic. It operates by an electrical current being supplied to it. This current sets up an electromagnetic field. The stronger the field, the more electric current produced. So check for good connections. Finnall the alenator has an amp rating. not all models uses the same type. My 1984 trans am has a 140 amp altenator. The cheap off the shelf type is around 75 amps. This is because my Trans Am came with an electric fan and was loaded with all the bells and whistles. The alenator will charge constantlly if it can't keep up. This burn up the battery also.
Hope this helps
1) The Battery is bad. It may test ok and still have a plate shorting problem. If the battery is loose and gets josseled around, or if it has been dropped ,turned upside down etc.
2) There is a grounding problem. The engine must be grounded to the body. Probablly a woven strap behind the engine block.
3) A wiring harness problem. Check to see if any fuses have been defeated by a conductor being placed across the fuse.
4) The altenator is dynamic. It operates by an electrical current being supplied to it. This current sets up an electromagnetic field. The stronger the field, the more electric current produced. So check for good connections. Finnall the alenator has an amp rating. not all models uses the same type. My 1984 trans am has a 140 amp altenator. The cheap off the shelf type is around 75 amps. This is because my Trans Am came with an electric fan and was loaded with all the bells and whistles. The alenator will charge constantlly if it can't keep up. This burn up the battery also.
Hope this helps
i am having the same problem but am thinking my new mid mount location which puts it just slightly above the water pump may be allowing the alt to soak up the heat from the headers but am not sure. my ? is towards the bad battery scenario. if this is the case could it heat up the alternator with just running for a few seconds? just wondering because i am at wits end here. 3 alternators in 500 miles. 1 110amp and 2 140amp. ive upgraded wiring and went down to a 1 wire set up. and checked belt tension. i just know these are heating up quickly. any help is appreciated.
#4
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Before You Burn The Next One Let Me Get The Marshmallows
Install a heat shield (sheet metal) between the alt and the headers.
Also, you can throw an ammeter in line with the alt to keep a watch on it.
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Also, you can throw an ammeter in line with the alt to keep a watch on it.
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Does The White Flag Mean He’s Surrendering?
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#6
Re: keep burning up alternators
Not trying to steal the thread.But does anybody have a part #for the 140 amp alt.What car or truck did it come off of?All I can find is 105amp at the parts store. Thanks Dave
Also op if you bought the alt at autozone and it is the same person telling you that they wont warrenty it.Go to a different autozone a time or two if you cant figure out the problem.I had this happen to me on a halfshaft said they wouldnt exchange it.Went to a different one and never had anymore problems.
Also op if you bought the alt at autozone and it is the same person telling you that they wont warrenty it.Go to a different autozone a time or two if you cant figure out the problem.I had this happen to me on a halfshaft said they wouldnt exchange it.Went to a different one and never had anymore problems.
Last edited by dustpusher; 07-26-2010 at 04:02 PM.
#7
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Before You Burn The Next One Let Me Get The Marshmallows
Originally Posted by white85transam
does anyone make one??
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Originally Posted by dustpusher
does anybody have a part #for the 140 amp alt.
The have 140 amp alts P/N PM47861.
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