Alternator case getting hot with KOEO....

[302RollinHard]

Just noticed the other evening that the case of my alternator is getting hot even when the engine isn't running. This leads me to believe that it is an internal short in the alternator itself, right?? Other than that it charges fine and no other problems. Just don't want it to leave me stranded somewhere. What can/should I test before taking it off and having it tested at an alternator shop??

 

[Disturbed90gt]

mine was doing the same thing. i changed the alt and have no problems since then. i also added another ground to the car cause it had ground issues. if you have no ground issues then more than likely the alt is to blame

 

[jrichker]

I would pull the alternator and have it bench tested. You may have a bad diode that is allowing the battery to discharge through the alternator.

Most of the bigger auto parts chain stores (Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, Pep Boys, etc.) will test the alternator for free.

 

[Disturbed90gt]

see i actually did that and the alt came back good...........but on the other hand it was screwed up so you cant always trust them machines

 

[HISSIN50]

Disconnect the charge wire from the solenoid and see if the alt now stays cool.

 

[stykthyn]

mine was doing that, turned out I had a bad connection. the positive wire coming off the back of the alt had come loose. it got hot enough to boil water and melt the insulation off the wire. I soldered a new connector to my wire and hooked it back up. It's as good as new.