Was working on my 83 H/O and accidently shorted out the hot battery terminal on the alternator. What did I blow inside the alt. that needs to be replaced so it will start charging. I'm thinking probably the diodes. Am I right?

 

Yes diodes if anything at all. Are you sure it is not charging? Shorting the wire to ground does not absolutely cause something to fail, it may still work.

 

was the car running at the time? if not, you probably didn't hurt the alternator one bit. you may have stressed the fusible link a little.

bill

 

Yes the car was running as I was setting the timing. Decided to just hook the timing light lead on the hot wire on the alt. Somehow the clamp got turned and it shorted out on the side of the case. Light is staying on in the dash now.

 

is there 12 volts at the alternator output terminal with the key off now?

bill

 

The 12 volt output terminal is dead with the switch off. This is a 12 si alternator if that makes any difference.

 

If you have no voltage present at the large 12V output lug of the alternator (the one with the rubber boot cover and the big red wire), then your fusible link is burned.

That wire connects directly to the battery (+) terminal, so if it's got no voltage, then it's not connected to the battery anymore.

Use an ohmmeter or a test light and check back to see where the break is.

There is a section of the Electrical chapter of the CSM that deals with the fusible link.

- Eric

 

Is the fusible link down at the starter where the wiring conects to the solenoid

 

Possibly. I'm not sure, as it changed a few times.

The Chassis Service Manual will tell you where it is.

- Eric

 

Took the alt. and had it checked today. It tested good so I guess it must be the fusible link. Can the wire be run from the alt. to the battery using a fusible link or is it best to run to the starter solonoid like I think it is now?

 

According to my chilton manual it shows a fusible link between the alt and starter

 

I just looked at the manual again and now not sure where the fusible link is. It shows one but can't determine whether it is to the starter or the battery. I've come to the conclusion it would work either way.

 

I know nothing about 1983 cars, so I can't help you there.

It's on one end of the wire or the other. Look to see which end has a length of smaller wire spliced in at the end (especially a piece of smaller wire that's been vaporized).

- Eric

 

it's on the end of the wire, attached to the starter. just replace the fusible link with the EXACT same gauge fusible link wire.


bill

 

Found it, fixed it. Thanks for all the help