Grounding Wires Blowing my Alternator
 

Has anyone had this problem. I've blown two alternators within 4 mos. Luckily these things are under warranty. I grounded my alternator to the positive terminal using Red 8 GA wire using a ring terminal on that 8mm nut on the alt and I used heat shrink tubing on the outside to keep moisture out and to give it a more finished look. I also grounded the negative battery terminal to the body frame using the same type of wire. It lasts about a month and than I notice my volt meter on my dash is low @ 11 and my wipers run slow. On my alternator the little cap that covers the 8 mm nut the plastic all around it is melted and scorched along with the ring terminal on my grounding wire. This happend twice. SO I've taken all of these ground wires off and will see what happens.

Has this happend to anyone else?

I've never had this happen to an alternator, but I've seen it before on Amps and stuff. The first and main problem is that grounding to the body is a poor way to ground anything. Either go to the engine block, or to the battery its self. Next, you should never have direct power going anywhere without a fuse/relay/fusible link - ever. That's a recipe for melted wires and blown electronics!

How come you did this in the first place? What's the advantage?

8 gauge only? I grounded my battery to the body, and then the body to the engine with 2 gauge wire. Why so small? Bigger is better in this case.

mmmm....well there are several posts on this site recommending this type of grounding, claiming it helps extend the life of the Alternator(NOT!), even out your idle, prevents the dimming of your instrument lights when braking. Kind of an overall safety net incase the factory grounds were failing.

MAKE SURE!!!, that the grounding wire from the top of thge tranny to the firewall is connected/clean.

Everyone with our cars should spend some time cleaning off all of their groound connections to clean shiney metal. after reinstallation coat all connections with vasoline or di-electric grease. My helpful hint of the Day!!!

Especially all you guys with aftermarket stereo systems!!!!

So how exactly do you have your grounding wires on your car jspecracer7? I have access to 2 gauge wire, i didn't realize I needed wire that big...

Thanks

Uhh... you grounded your alternator to the positive terminal? And you're surprised it keeps blowing??

I think that Im having a bad ground prolem with my car also. Could someone post links as to where all the major grounds are located, and maybe where a good place to put new ones would be? Thanks

When you say you are grounding the 8mm terminal on the back, I hope you arent talking about the b terminal. Because that would be your prob right there.

I had an 8 Gauge wire going from the Positive Terminal to the 8mm screw terminal on the alternator (under the cap)

I then had an 8 Gauge wire going from the Negative Terminal to the body.

I know now this was a major FUBAR waiting to happen. Luckily the only thing that got fried was the alt and the wire.

What is the best way to ground our cars...or should I just leave it alone?

Sounds like bad connectors or crimps on your wire connections

Can anyone offer the best methods for grounding wires???