Alternator Fire
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Alternator Fire
So I am on my way home from work and I begin to smell something burning as I pull up to the stop light. I glance to my left and hope that the smell is not coming from my truck. I drive another block and the smell is getting stronger. I pull into the far corner of a gas station where the water is(I know, this could be dangerous) and jump out after popping the hood. As soon as I do this I see smoke and where there is smoke there is fire. Embers were dropping out of my alternator. I runover to the gas bar and grab the nearest exstinguisher and blast it just as flames were beginning to lick outside of the alternator housing. The fire goes out.
My question is this. Is this a case of a reconditioned Ford Alternator losing a bearing or is there the possibility of a short somewhere else...Comments opinions. As well I recently,(months) replaced the battery.
Thanks,
WHaynes
93 F150 4.9L 4x4
4" ProComp StII Lift
BFG 33in 4.10's
Detroit TrueTrac's
My question is this. Is this a case of a reconditioned Ford Alternator losing a bearing or is there the possibility of a short somewhere else...Comments opinions. As well I recently,(months) replaced the battery.
Thanks,
WHaynes
93 F150 4.9L 4x4
4" ProComp StII Lift
BFG 33in 4.10's
Detroit TrueTrac's
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
Alternator Fire
Well , At this point about all you can do is replace the alternator . I have seen the alt wiring very close to the front of the exhaust manifold to the point where the insulation has started to melt . Did you hear any noise from the alt before it failed ? Usually if a bearing fails it makes a fair amount of noise before it dies . Any electrical troubles before this happened ?
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Alternator Fire
the same thing happen to me on an 87 t-bird and my 94 F150. The bearing failed and caused so much heat that the alternator harness connector melted and welded itself to the inside of the alternator.
There usually is a terribly squeaking sound right before this happens.
There usually is a terribly squeaking sound right before this happens.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Alternator Fire
Well, I think I have it all fixed. I had to leave my truck at a gas station lastnight. Luckily there was a Napa close by. I picked up a new alternator and swapped out the %$#@$ one. It looks like the plug for the return current to the battery shorted and caused the fire. In talking to a couple of different people they think that the plug was the cause as it should be replaced with every alternator change. I had the alternator replaced by a Service Station 2 years ago and in looking at the harness, I cant see where there was a splice to add the new connector. I am going to try to go after the shop that did the original work as my bill shows that the "harness" was one of the items that was supposed to be replaced. Words of wisdom from this little ordeal. Don't try to put out a alternator fire with water. It just won't work and make sure you replace the harness plug/connector when you change the alternator.
Thanks for your replies,
WHaynes
93 F150 4.9L 4x4
4" ProComp StII Lift
BFG 33in 4.10's
Detroit TrueTrac's
Thanks for your replies,
WHaynes
93 F150 4.9L 4x4
4" ProComp StII Lift
BFG 33in 4.10's
Detroit TrueTrac's
