94 civic 1.5L - alt wire melted?

#1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2005, 09:31 PM

Why would the main wire melt the terminal post on an alternator that is only
in use for a couple hundred miles? Could it be the internal regulator
failed causing the overheating?

#2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2005, 10:32 PM

"Rocky" <jcadellano.spam@optonline.net> wrote in
news:F%X4f.10134$1X1.9982@fe12.lga:

> Why would the main wire melt the terminal post on an alternator that
> is only in use for a couple hundred miles? Could it be the internal
> regulator failed causing the overheating?
>
>
>

Wire was loose and arcing. Or really, really dirty.

Was the alternator overcharging?

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

#3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2005, 11:36 PM

When AAA arrived, they said the alternator had very low output. The battery
tested at 11.8volts, then with headlights on, it dropped to 10.8 quickly and
was slowly dropping more, so they flatbedded the car home...now that I think
back, I did smell burning plastic days before the car died.

Any comments on the value of adding a volt meter vs an ammeter?
The factory idiot light was useless.

"TeGGeR®" <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote in message
news:Xns96F2DB5C2DEFDtegger@207.14.113.17...
> "Rocky" <jcadellano.spam@optonline.net> wrote in
> news:F%X4f.10134$1X1.9982@fe12.lga:
>
>> Why would the main wire melt the terminal post on an alternator that
>> is only in use for a couple hundred miles? Could it be the internal
>> regulator failed causing the overheating?
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> Wire was loose and arcing. Or really, really dirty.
>
> Was the alternator overcharging?
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

#4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 07:33 AM

"Rocky" <jcadellano.spam@optonline.net> wrote in message news:ncZ4f.29352$Ge5.11238@fe10.lga...

> Any comments on the value of adding a volt meter vs an ammeter?
> The factory idiot light was useless.

The idoit light controlled by the voltage regulator is the most simple
and effective tool. However, if you are using a voltmeter or an ammeter,
you'll have to use some brain power to determine if the charger is at fault.
Someone borrows your car could get stranded. Plus, one more part to fail.

#5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2005, 07:33 AM

"Rocky" <jcadellano.spam@optonline.net> wrote in message news:F%X4f.10134$1X1.9982@fe12.lga...

> Why would the main wire melt the terminal post on an alternator that is only
> in use for a couple hundred miles? Could it be the internal regulator
> failed causing the overheating?

Probably high resistance on the solder.

Protect your voltage regulator. Don't use your alternator to charge
a dead battery or a battery that never seems to be charged. It's
designed to keep the battery topped off. Don't use a hair blow
dryer while driving, or run the AC fan continuously.