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#86828 01/23/2005 2:44 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 93
G
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G Offline
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 93
A couple of weeks ago I talked about a current draw I was having. Was getting a small spark when connecting the positive battery terminal. Well, I pulled the fuses, one at a time, and the spark was still there. Next I disconnected the alternator and the spark was gone. So, is my alternator wired incorrectly or do I need that diode thingy, or both. Thanks, Don

#86829 01/23/2005 7:09 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 259
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If I had to take a guess it would be a bad diode leaking to ground. If you have a test meter you could tear down the alternator and test the diode trio and the other diodes to see which one is bad.

I'm getting pretty good at testing them for my brothers and friends smile

Do you have another alternator you can substitute to see if the draw goes away?

Joe Garcia


Joe
#86830 01/23/2005 7:19 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 499
R
'Bolter
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 499
Go back to what Eric Amlie wrote on your other thread. If the battery isn't going dead in the short term and it is charging the battery at around 14 volts, don't worry about it.
You have checked the voltage with a volt meter? ? ?
If there is no other drain as you checked, charging at 14 volts, but the battery goes dead in less than a week, then the alt is probably bad. It can have one of the rectifier diodes short and still charge. On one of the auto parts store testers, it will still show good, but you will still have a dead battery.


'67 GMC 3/4 292 4spd
#86831 01/23/2005 8:20 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 235
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Shop Shark
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 235
The alternater will have a small draw on the battery. Around 7 volts is normal. If it is up to 12 volts, then theres a problem with it. If you have a volt meter, take the neg wire off the battery and hook the volt meter to the battry and the other to the cable. ( if the meter reads 0, switch leads) Make sure every thing is off or else you will get a false reading.


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