I was at the grand canyon last week and my alternator caught fire, it was a serious fire, burnt up the wiring to the alternator too. has anyone had this happen to them? is there a recall or fix for this,or do i just need a bigger fire extinguisher. thanks steve


1990 f350 crewcab 4x4 460

 

well no,in my shop i always install a new plug on the alternator. it has been a ford problem since 1984. the wiring harness should have come in the box with the new alternator, or supplied by the rebuilder. atleast the retailer should have told you about it. if you got one and didn't install it well, hopefully it wouldn't get looked over again..

Kurt
Chino Valley

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Actually had 3 of them catch fire. There is a replacement harness that helps to keep it from catching fire. It should have come with the new alternator.

 

What is different about the new plug? I don't understand why if the new plug has bigger wires for 2 inches what that would do since the rest of the wires are the same size.

 

the wires aren't the problem son, its the plug. the pins strech and wear, then you have resistance, which makes heat. heat melts insulation, bare wires touch a ground, and WWOOOFFF you have a battery induced fire. its that quick. i have seen it happen on a truck on the side of the road here in prescott, and until the battery goes dead, or the wiring melts all the way through, there is no putting it out. end of story.

 

Those things corrode pretty bad too.

 

That's what I wanted to know, thanks. Don't have to be an ********* about it dashashopdog.

 

sorry i didn't mean to sound like ###hole. most people dont understand the importance of the "plug" that comes in the box. most people don't look at the papers that are printed in everyother language but english, they dont know what "sudden death" in an alternator is, they just throw the paper away. than they have a fire, and always blame the part. the comment was meant to be rude. kinda suppose to sound like the rooster in the cartoons, "you know son, keep your eyes on the ball. now come on.." can think of his name right now, and its startin to **** me off. what the fudge was his name dang it..

 

Thanks man. I knew they had problems with the things catching on fire, but I just didn't know why. I appreciate your reply - no hard feelings.

 

You mean Foghorn Leghorn???

 

hey guys looks like im not the first guy this has happened to. I bought a new alternator at napa ,it came with the new plug & wires with connectors on it.it had a warning lable in the box saying to be sure to crimp the wires tight & clean. ihope this is the end of my problem. i cant take another fire. thanks to all,steve

 

yes foghorn leghorn. it hit me while i was f'n around on this f250 460 that runs like crap why? don't ask me or the 3 ford dealers who have worked on it. when o2 reads rich it stumbles almost dies, then clears up. i quit!!! other than that thanks, it was ol' fog horn, speaking of which watch out for those pesky chickeh hawks!!!