Fried Alternator Wire

[iMod]

Ok so when I took off my alternator, I noticed the wire on the top was fried....like charred. The bolt holding it down looked all charred as well. Anyways I'm wondering what might have caused that and if maybe it's not my alternator that went bad. Can someone shed some light on this problem?

 

[Finnon]

ummm perhaps the bolt had worked loose and caused it to arc a bit.

 

[iMod]

I suppose. The whole wire is fried though and the plastic part that was over it was kinda melted a little.

I took the alternator to get tested and they said it's no good....lame...

 

[st2b]

How many volts are you reading when your Supra is running?

Edit: I saw your last post, just when you install the new alternator, DONT OVERTIGHTEN IT!!

 

[iMod]

k I'll keep in mind not to overtighten it.

Well originally it ran at 14V but it went to 12 and stayed there a few days. Then as I was going down the freeway the car started dying. Especially when I'd give it gas. It would bog down and wanna die. So I shut off all my lights and turned my gauge lights off and it went back up to around 10-12V. It limped halfway home and died in a parking lot.

P.S. I liked your gauge light color changing tutorial. I came across it a couple weeks ago. Good stuff.

 

[st2b]

Thanks!
I'm going through the same problem. I think it's because the EFI is getting various amount of voltage rather than staying in one spot (Around 14 volts)

 

[iMod]

Yea it's getting frusterating. Every time I fix something than something else breaks. I'm probably gonna sell the Supra when this gets fixed. I love it, but I can't put up with the constant problems.

Let me know if you get any additional info

 

[87nasupra]

Most surpa's do the same thing. From my understanding since were running 70 amp alts. that its just strain from all the electrical systems on it. Upgrade and go to a 130 amp like i did and my problems went away. Try it and see.....it about a hundred bucks or so from toyota or any auto parts store.

Edit: I don't have the dim lights at idle with it up to tempature either

 

[iMod]

yea they want $124.00 for a stock Toyota alternator. I'll see how much it is to upgrade to a 130A.

 

[87nasupra]

yeah, i got one from advance auto parts....call and tell them that you need one for a turbo for a 91 or 92? ...i think. those were the only two years i could find it for.

 

[cuel]

iMod: Sounds like a loose connection.
St2b: Check your battery and alternator.
Both of you: Check all your grounds, clean the terminals on your battery, and make sure all of your power connectors are tight.

Most 15+ year old cars have had the alternator changed or rebuilt at least once. I just recently changed mine. It was the original Toyota part(from 1987). I'm using the alt. from a turbo mkiii(80 amp?) because I use electric fans, and have a small system in my car(300 watt amp, and two ten's). I don't have voltage drops or fluctuations. Charging system is steady as a rock at 14 volts. Doesn't even jiggle if I have the radio, a/c, and headlights on, and use my turn signals. It shouldn't, either.