wire going into alternator bad

charlieruss · Post by **charlieruss** » 25 Sep 2006, 14:08

So i was driving up to college today and as i was almost into town the lights on my dash in my 1980 242 dl came on. I investaged in the manual and found that it was the alternator. So, I took it to kragen and had them test the alternator, they said it was bad...So, one of the works is poking around trying to see if i had an internal or external regulator when he notices that a wire that goes into the alternator has lost all of its insulation and is starting to fray... so he unplugs it and then plugs it back in againi and then has to run off. I turn the car on to go home and low and behold, the alternator lights on the dash have turned off...No more warning lights the whole way home...I'm suspecting it isnt the alternator that's bad, rather its the wire because the lights would flicker when i was driving. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this with their alternator before? and if so was it an easy fix or something i'm going to have to go to a mechanic for? Thanks.

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 25 Sep 2006, 14:55

Yes, it has happened to me. Make shure that the red alternator warning light is really coming on before starting the engine, just to check that the lamp is not just disconnected.

I recommend you to shorten the old wire a little so you get fresh copper and insulation. Make an extension to the bad wire by making a new one something like 2 inches and put on a new flat connector. Solder the new wire to the old wire. This will make it more reliable.

DVolvoguy777 · Post by **DVolvoguy777** » 26 Sep 2006, 08:49

If you seen one wire with crusty falling off dry rotted insulation it is time for you to get a new engine harness.

Go to this site: http://personal.linkline.com/dbarton/WireHarnesses.html

Read the information and see what you want to do. It is a good idea to replace yours as heat and time have corrupted it.