Arkade

i have a question about how the wire that eventually becomes the alternator wire goes to the engine fuse box... i am redoing my battery cables by following the guide at rotaryresurrection.com<i>(under the tech section... then under ground wire how to)</i> and i wanted to know if i have to make this connection again... i know it is a stupid question... but i was also going to run a 4 guage wire to the alternator that doesn't go through the fuse box... will this hurt the alternator? what ever help can be offered would be much appreciated. thanks all.

NZConvertible

You shouldn't run a wire from the battery to the alternator unless you run it through a high-current fuse or circuit breaker. The stock alternator wire runs through the MAIN fuse, which is 80A on S4's and 100A on S5's, so that's the size fuse or circuit breaker you need.

If you can't be bothered with proper electrical protection you should at least make sure the wire is very well protected physically and cannot rub against anything that might damage that protection. If this cable shorts out, the results will be spectacular and potentially dangerous.

Personally I wouldn't even bother...

Arkade

thank you!!! so could i run the old alternator wire that goes to the 80a fuse in the fuse block under the hood and a second 80a fuse on a battery straight to the alternator.. or would that be like having 160amps? thanks again...

NZConvertible

Actually it would too. Another reason not to do this...

Arkade

ok, i know my questions are getting tiedeous, but, can i just have the amp wire go to the fuse block under the hood and then run an other wire straight to the alternator? or i know that the fuse block needs power somehow, that is why i am asking if i just can run it to the fuses but not back out... (i must sound stupid). by the way thank you NZconv. you help out alot of people, especially me.

NZConvertible

Look at the Electrical Wiring Schematic on page 50-14 of the FSM wiring diagram. It shows how the battery, alternator and fuse box are connected to each other.

Arkade

damn, i went ahead and purchased a 80awg fuse and connecter thing by monster cable, it was like 20 bucks for the fuses and the connector because good guys is closing. and i have everything all hooked up, new battery and starter. and it doesn't start, now it clicks louder, and it doesn't drop voltage nearly as much but still no go. should i replace my under hood fuses, they look a little dirty but not blown, as of now i am stumped...

HAILERS

No. You should go under the car,with it in neutral and with a jumper wire, jumper b/t the starter solenoids small blade connector and the large 12vdc wire that is attached to the starter. If the starter spins, then you have either a ignition switch problem or a loose connection b/t the key and the starter solenoid. There are online wiring diagrams thay you can follow to find the fault.

Another tack to take, if you DO NOT have theft protection, is to look under your MAIN RELAY/TRAIL COIL area and fine the BLUE connector with a jumper wire in it. Remove the BLUE connector. Then get a long piece of electrical wire and put one stripped end of it in the socket of the BLUE mating plug that has a BLACK/WHITE wire in it. Then touch the POSITIVE terminal of the BATTERY with the other end. Do that with the car in neutral. The starter should turn over and if the key is to ON, it will start.

IF you can do this repeatedly (start the engine), without the starter solenoid doing the click/click/click thing, then I sugget your ignition switch is the culprit.

If the starter still goes click, click when you jumper UNDER THE CAR, then smack the starter with a hammer a couple of times and try again. IF the starter starts working then, then the starter itself is kaput and you need it rebuilt. That or always carry a hammer when you leave the house. Been there, done that, til I got tired of playing the game.