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Electrical Probs.. smoke from Main Eng fuse + Alternator

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Old 12-13-04, 05:41 PM
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Electrical Probs.. smoke from Main Eng fuse + Alternator

I finally finished my TII with a new motor . After putting the new motor in, I found out the starter was bad and replaced it. The car still didn't start. Being an idiot, I found that I forgot the main ground on the long bolt of the starter. There was another ground but smaller, I didn't know where it went so I grounded it on the engine also.

Connected my battery and tried to start it. No interior lights, no electricity whatsoever. The headlights don't even work. Soon after, I saw some light smoke coming from the main engine fuse and the altenator. I unplugged the batt and check the fuse. Burnt to crisp. I replaced the main eng fuse and being safe, the alternator too. Reconnected the batt. This time no smoke. But I still don't have any power on the car.

My batt is fully charged and I checked all the fuses under the dash also, all of them are good. I don't understand why there is no power whatsoever. Did I do something wrong?
Old 12-13-04, 06:09 PM
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Ummm thats NOT a smaller ground, it sounds like thats the alternator battery connection that goes directly to the positive side of the battery, that or one for the starter. Get your FSM out and check the wiring diagrams and follow those before you hurt something/yourself.

Last edited by The Spyder; 12-13-04 at 06:16 PM.
Old 12-13-04, 06:15 PM
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already checked out the FSM.. doesn't help much on specific wiring. Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough.. I'll check one more time.

Anyone else?
Old 12-13-04, 06:17 PM
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Where was this other "smaller ground" located?
Old 12-14-04, 06:17 PM
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the long bolt thats used to ground the main... I grounded the smaller one on the other end of the bolt.
Old 12-14-04, 07:44 PM
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Somehow, you're grounding your alt's output circuit, check that the cable up top on the alt is not contacting ground anywhere...
Old 12-14-04, 07:46 PM
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Got the battery cables on the wrong posts???? Black/Yellow is ground.

Check the 80 amp fuse in the engine bay. It's held in with two 10mm bolts/nuts. It does not pull out like the others.

LAST TIME.....the cable from the alternator goes to the engine fuse box, not directly to the battery. Only indirectly to the positive post of the battery.
Old 12-14-04, 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by HAILERS
Got the battery cables on the wrong posts???? Black/Yellow is ground.

Check the 80 amp fuse in the engine bay. It's held in with two 10mm bolts/nuts. It does not pull out like the others.

LAST TIME.....the cable from the alternator goes to the engine fuse box, not directly to the battery. Only indirectly to the positive post of the battery.
thanks Wayne, I'll check the alternator.

HAILERS, I have the battery connected correctly. I replaced the main eng fuse because it blew in the first place. I'll check the alternator cable that you guys are talking about.

Another question. Even if this was the problem, wouldn't my headlights and such work? I get no electricity on the car whatsoever. I wouldn't think this alternator cable would have that much effect on the car. But what do I know. I'm not a electrician. I just do the mechanical things.
Old 12-15-04, 09:13 AM
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Your probably right. No power to anything? Odd. Especially with all the fuses in the engine bay installed and good.

IF you don't have a meter, it's hard to tell you where to start.

No power for anything at all???? Even one small light bulv?

Maybe remove the negative cable from the battery and then remove the bolts/nuts that hold the engine fuse box in place and see if all the wires are connected on good on the bottom of the engine fuse box.

There is a wire that comes off the positive battery cable that HAS to go to the engine fuse box to feed that buss. Make sure it's there/on tight/snug.

No, I agree, the alt cable isn't your problem.

Last edited by HAILERS; 12-15-04 at 09:17 AM.
Old 12-22-04, 04:30 PM
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Alright guys, new update.

I got at least the headlights to work. I replaced the battery, main engine fuse, and alternator. Still no accessory lights and car doesn't start. My friend came over with a meter and found no power at the ignition switch. Could that be the problem?? I already tried swapping ECU and CPU on the car but nothing.

I'm convinced its probably an ignition problem. Anyone have clues? Thanks guys.

Kevin
Old 12-22-04, 09:10 PM
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I would start by checking for power at the fuse box under the hood and check the main ground from the battery, it goes to the starter bolt. It should go through a small bracket that's holding your harness in place. Good luck.
Old 12-22-04, 10:20 PM
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The top two rows of fuses in your cabin fuse box are battery powered (hot bus)- check at least a couple of these with a meter and see if you have power on them (you should). Now check the remaining rows of fuses with the key on (not to start). You should have power on them. If not, your ignition switch (or the power wires to the switch) theory may be right...

You never did tell us what that smaller "ground" wire was that you bolted to the engine...
Old 12-29-04, 03:23 PM
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wahooo... ok. It was the black wire from under the main fuse box.

But.... Engine is turning but not starting up. Changed plugs and they were brown and covered with oil. Took out the plugs, pulled the EGI fuse and unflooded the motor. Swapped in new plugs and hoping to God it would start.

no start... lots of white smoke coming from both the engine bay and exhaust. Can't really see where its coming from because I'm doing this by myself.

Gas in the tank is about 2 years old. No more than an 1/8 of a tank. Didn't think I needed to drain it, so I poured in 5 gallons of 91 octane. Still not starting.

Any more ideas?? You guys are the greatest! I know it'll be up and running soon. Thanks for the help!

Kevin
Old 12-29-04, 07:31 PM
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Should have drained the tank, man. And replaced both fuel filters...

White smoke from the engine bay isn't a good sign...

Have any idea what the engine's compression is after sitting for 2 years?
Old 12-29-04, 07:50 PM
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its a rebuild, Check spark and fuel
Old 12-29-04, 08:04 PM
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smoke coming from the engine bay.. check all gaskets do you have a ACV block off?
Old 12-31-04, 02:11 AM
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Engine is a rebuild.

Here's the things I've replaced.
- new fuel filter
- drained tank and filled with 91 octane
- new plugs and wires
- new battery
- new turbo manifold gaskets

I found out where the smoke was coming from in the engine. I remember using an old turbo manifold gasket because I didn't have a new one at the time or putting the motor back together. There was a small leak letting out smoke. I replaced it and now there's no more smoke in the bay.

Would I use a multimeter on the coils to check spark?
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