Hello fellow Stangnetters,
I installed my PA Performance 130 amp alternator on Saturday without a hitch (except for having to get a new serpentine belt). However, since my 4 ga power wire had not yet arrived, I modified the stock connections with the eyelets and installed those.
Now, fast forward to last night, I received my 4 ga power wire kit also from PAP. I routed it behind the radiator and all, put the fuse holder behind the battery (it was late and I did not want to drill holes in my car in the dark to mount it), I connected the shorter end of the cable to the side of the solenoid that also has a cable going to the positive battery terminal, and the other side I connected in place of the two stock wires. Taped the stock wires up with 3m super 33+ (thanks JMac) and zip tied them on the harness away from the alternator.
Now, when I went to connect the negative battery cable again, it made some crazy sparks. It looked as it if I was welding it. It even made shiny gouges on my battery post. I also noticed that the open end had kind of fused together somewhat with part of the bolt that goes through it. It still tightens, but I'm definitely getting a new negative terminal today. I took the 4 ga wire off, and no more welding effects!
So, is it something super simple that I goofed on and I skipped something or did something wrong? Or is this a case of that famous missing 4 ga ground that good ol' jrichker is always trying to warn us about?
I know nothing about electronics (well, very little, may as well be noting), so any help on this would be appreciated as I would like to attempt this again today.
Thanks Stangnet!
TLDR: Negative battery post sparking bad after pa performance 4 ga wire installed
I installed my PA Performance 130 amp alternator on Saturday without a hitch (except for having to get a new serpentine belt). However, since my 4 ga power wire had not yet arrived, I modified the stock connections with the eyelets and installed those.
Now, fast forward to last night, I received my 4 ga power wire kit also from PAP. I routed it behind the radiator and all, put the fuse holder behind the battery (it was late and I did not want to drill holes in my car in the dark to mount it), I connected the shorter end of the cable to the side of the solenoid that also has a cable going to the positive battery terminal, and the other side I connected in place of the two stock wires. Taped the stock wires up with 3m super 33+ (thanks JMac) and zip tied them on the harness away from the alternator.
Now, when I went to connect the negative battery cable again, it made some crazy sparks. It looked as it if I was welding it. It even made shiny gouges on my battery post. I also noticed that the open end had kind of fused together somewhat with part of the bolt that goes through it. It still tightens, but I'm definitely getting a new negative terminal today. I took the 4 ga wire off, and no more welding effects!
So, is it something super simple that I goofed on and I skipped something or did something wrong? Or is this a case of that famous missing 4 ga ground that good ol' jrichker is always trying to warn us about?
I know nothing about electronics (well, very little, may as well be noting), so any help on this would be appreciated as I would like to attempt this again today.
Thanks Stangnet!
TLDR: Negative battery post sparking bad after pa performance 4 ga wire installed