Why did this melt?

[jstang209]

I posted another thread but that was for my friends car..so that has nothing to with this.. anyway I noticed my battery gauge has been reading really really low, so i go look at my alternator and see this.

can i buy just the alternator wiring somewhere or am I going to have to go to pick n pull and replace the whole harness? I've been planing to do a 3g upgrade, but this connector doesn't come in the kit does it?

 

[jrichker]

The stock alternator uses two 10 gauge wires with 1/4" fast-on tabs. The tabs get hot, corrode and create resistance which makes more heat and more corrosion. Finally the resistance gets high enough to make sufficent heat to melt the connection. Replacement alternators come with a new connector. You cut the old connector off and then solder and heat shrink the new connector onto the old wires.

 

[the pony boy]

pretty common.replaced them on 2 mustangs i have owned.

 

[jstang209]

I shouldn't need to replace my alternator right?

 

[93 LX]

nope its fine

 

[tstang93]

Are you runnin a big amp for subs in that thing cause that does it
tony

 

[ID89GT]

Perfect oppurtunity to do a 3g swap

 

[87WhiteStang1]

3g alternators connect differently so that connector won't be needed

 

[jstang209]

yea i just bought a 200amp 3g kit from ebay. That plug was melted all on the plug and i cant even remove it.. I also disconnected the battery before I started messin with it and was trying to pry it off with a screwdriver and got a bunch of sparks..scared the mess out of me lol... should I have disconnected the + cable instead of the -?