So I took the convertible for its first test drive. I put a new alternator in it from Advance. Alternator was getting hot. Too hot to touch. And there is an electrical burning smell and some smoke. Pretty sure the alternator is toast...literally. I have to tell them, thanks for the barbeque but I already have one. At idle is was charging at around 13.35. So it was working. My question is what would make the alternator get hot besides just being a bad alternator? I just want to make sure I don't cook another one!
Internally regulated or original-style external regulator on the firewall? The battery voltage doesn’t tell you a whole lot without knowing the amps.
I cooked two alternators from auto zone before I bought a brand new one in the 67 Electra I painted last Summer.
Yeah, I realize that. Wasn't too concerned about the low charging. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't seeing battery voltage. I was more concerned about the fried electrical smell and the smoke. Smelled like when a florescent ballast goes bad.
Yeah, I googled "alternator getting hot". This guy says diodes, https://auto.howstuffworks.com/unde...s/mechanical/5-signs-alternator-problems8.htm
Just have it towed to the shop and have them call you when it’s fixed. Didn’t you trade in your tools when you bought Barney? (Just kidding!I know you kept a few for license plate swaps, opening the Armor-All multipacks, etc.) Patrick
LOL!! That was funny! Got the new alternator today from Advance. Threw it in and started it. Running cool now and no GEN light. Didn't check anything else and closed the hood! Still need to get the new master cylinder. And the trans is shifting too quickly from a light. the 1-2 shift and the 2-3 shift are right on top of one another. Im going to try and adjust the modulator tomorrow and cross that off the list. I drove it around today. Nice to be in a convertible again.
PS, what did you expect from an advance alternator. Some poor old cross eyed chink built it for you. Anything could be wrong inside. Diode is my guess.
They really need to talk to that 12 year old Chinese girl at the factory. Funny- I put a new tank in it and went against my better judgment and reused the old sender. Naturally, I put it all back together and the gas gauge goes right past full. I thought for sure the old sender went bad because I touched it. In running down the short in the directional, the gas gauge started working. I must of fixed a bad connection behind the dash in fixing it. I'll take the small win. Anytime I don't have to drop a tank on my back is a good day.
