Alternator Fire!

blue66tang

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Jan 20, 2001

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Nov 19, 2006

#1

• Nov 19, 2006

• #1

I was just driving around today and I smelled something burning. So pulled over and popped the hood, and my alt was on fire. I heard that this ford design has had problems, but i thought i would be fine with a brand new alt and a new harness. Now i think i am going to upgrade, What do you guys recomend, and from whom. I want to get rid of the ford style harness. Thanks guys

 

billison

I like tinted tail

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#2

• Nov 19, 2006

• #2

it was a new alt? where did you get it from? i'd take to back and make them pay for it. You can get a 3g alt and a replacement harness from http://www.pa-performance.com/

 

blue66tang

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Nov 19, 2006

#3

• Nov 19, 2006

• #3

It was a reman from NAPA. I dont think it was the alts fault though. l think it was the connection from the harness. Even though i bought new harness for it as well. I did go in and talk to napa, they wont take it unless i have a receipt, and of course i dont have one anymore.

 

D

dec322

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Feb 11, 2006

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Bham AL

Nov 19, 2006

#4

• Nov 19, 2006

• #4

blue66tang said:

It was a reman from NAPA. I dont think it was the alts fault though. l think it was the connection from the harness. Even though i bought new harness for it as well. I did go in and talk to napa, they wont take it unless i have a receipt, and of course i dont have one anymore.

Click to expand...

It should have a warranty.....and they should have gotten your info before you bought it b/c of the warranty. I hate Napa b/c they do crap like this all the time around here. Then they dog out advanced and autozone b/c they sell trinkets and air fresheners. I'd pick advanced and autozone any day over Napa.

Just my thoughts.

 

RYC CUKR

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May 19, 2002

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Nov 19, 2006

#5

• Nov 19, 2006

• #5

Time to upgrade that sucker to a 3G alt.

As posted earlier check out pa performance and get an alt and wiring kit with fuse from them. I put one in my 93 and my 88 already had it done. Any fox mustang I get from now on will have the crappy 2G replaced with a 3G as one of the first mods.

The 3G also makes swapping to an electric fan much less worriesome since you know that the 3G will be able to support the extra amperage that the fan draws. The 2G was barely adequate on a stock car.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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Nov 19, 2006

#6

• Nov 19, 2006

• #6

Just curious - where did the harness burn? Did the fusible links blow too?

If funds allow, I'd do the 3/6G as mentioned above. Since you're doing all new wiring, see FFI's harness for a slick new set-up ('04 Sleeper ran this and has posted myriad pics of it on alternator threads).

Good luck.

 

88-GT

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Oct 8, 2004

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Nov 19, 2006

#7

• Nov 19, 2006

• #7

Yea definately go for the upgrade to the 3G. And although all the wiring kits are nice it can be done much cheaper. You can get the alternator off several different cars, I got mine from a salvage yard cheap off of a SN95 stang. Then I just bout some 4 guage welding cable and a roll of fusible link wire. Super easy wiring and the stator connection can be made very reliably using a crimp connector, solder and some heat shrink.

Look around, but definately dont put another 2G alt in there, good luck.

 

blue66tang

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#8

• Nov 19, 2006

• #8

Alright i am pretty sure i am goign to go with the 3g. For the 94 95 mustangs are the v6 alts the same thing? Who has a schematic how to hook it up. It lookes like I just need to plug my sator connector in, the one that didnt burn up, and then run a large wire from the alt to the battery. Is there suposed to be some big fuse or something inline. What about just running it threw a large fusable link? What did the factory use for a fuse? Thanks guys.

 

tbovee

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May 22, 2006

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Fredericksburg Va

Nov 20, 2006

#9

• Nov 20, 2006

• #9

like "Hissin " said above there are many posts on exactly what you need right hereon this forum. I did mine a few weeks ago and it works great. I got a comlete kit off ebay. new alt, wiring andfuse with instructions. I'd use the instructions from this forum though. It cost me150.00

 

blue66tang

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Nov 20, 2006

#10

• Nov 20, 2006

• #10

Anybody know if the v6 alts for teh 94 95 cars are the same?

 

Prime Lord

Crappy Default Title

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Nov 20, 2006

#11

• Nov 20, 2006

• #11

You'll be happy w/ the 3G alt....I did one on my old GT FAINALLY after I went through 5 AutoZone alternators in just over a month. When the 5th one caught fire, that was it...PA-Performance 3G. I'm trying to save money to buy another one right now.

 

billison

I like tinted tail

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#12

• Nov 20, 2006

• #12

Yes you can use the v6..

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

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NJ

Nov 20, 2006

#13

• Nov 20, 2006

• #13

Chain store alternators are known to cause fires, feel lucky that your car didn't burn to the ground.

This is why i say anything electrical needs to be real ford.

 

blue66tang

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#14

• Nov 20, 2006

• #14

Well the wrecking yard had one for 20 bucks. So I guess i will have to get the wiring stuff now. Any sugestions. I guess i need large amp fuse right?

 

glowstang93

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Feb 9, 2003

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Nov 20, 2006

#15

• Nov 20, 2006

• #15

I got my fuse and holder from Napa, It is a bussman fuse holder, very industrial, which is good.

Here is the links
http://www.bussauto.com/products/powerdist/

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=BK&PartNumber=7821136&Description=Fuse+-+Automotive

Here is some pics of it installed on my 4 banger, I know the location won't be the same, but at least you can see it. I used switch to starter premade cables from auto parts store for the 4 awg cables.

View attachment 422608

View attachment 422609

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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#16

• Nov 21, 2006

• #16

blue66tang said:

Well the wrecking yard had one for 20 bucks. So I guess i will have to get the wiring stuff now. Any sugestions. I guess i need large amp fuse right?

Click to expand...

For a 130 amp alt, a slow-burn 125 amp fuse should work alright.

Good luck.

 

glowstang93

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Nov 21, 2006

#17

• Nov 21, 2006

• #17

Thanks Hissin, I didn't mean to say he should use a 100 amp, I was just showing the type of fuse. I'm running a 100, but mine is only a 95 amp alternator. Sorry if I confused that.

 

blue66tang

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Nov 21, 2006

#18

• Nov 21, 2006

• #18

Im curious why you guys are putting these inline fuses in. Do the 94 95 alts have one? I have never seen alts with inline fuses. I dont know much about this later model stuff yet.

 

glowstang93

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Nov 21, 2006

#19

• Nov 21, 2006

• #19

Fuses are a whole lot easier to change than fusible links. No protection at all can result in a fire if the power wire gets grounded or the alternator makes a direct ground. I'm sure someone else could explain it better, but its basically the same as why you would put a fuse in any other accessory or circuit.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

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#20

• Nov 21, 2006

• #20

blue66tang said:

Im curious why you guys are putting these inline fuses in. Do the 94 95 alts have one? I have never seen alts with inline fuses. I dont know much about this later model stuff yet.

Click to expand...

Anthony is correct. And given what just happened to you, maybe a few fuses would be good (J/K).

94-95's use fusible links also (and a blade fuse on the regulator side of the alt).

Good luck.



Anthony, I never even noticed what rating of fuse you noted (maybe it was inferred from a link, which I didn't click). I just answer questions as they pop up.