Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting 95 Alternator wiring help.

Does anyone know the 95 alternator well?

Here is my problem, replaced head gasket and timing belt on my 95 mystique 4 cyl. Had alternator off for a while and resting in the garage, and apparently forgot how to hook it up. When I went to put it back on, connected the 2 quick connects and the red bolt on wire. Like that, when I started the car the BAT light was on. I then noticed near the alternator wire cluster, there was a black wire with a ring connector on it. I check the black wire for ground with my multimeter, no ground.

So I then took the Alt to Autoparts store for testing, it checked out fine. So we put the alt back on, and connected the black wire with the red wire on the bolt on terminal. turned the key on, light came on with key on and went off when started as it is suppose to do.

Now the problem, sorry for the long post, so it was idling in the driveway, no idiot lights on, everything seem to be in order, and then there was a puff of blackish smoke from the alternator area. I shut it off and begin looking. none of the alternator wires were hot and no visual burnt wires. Now, the BAT light will not even come on when I first turn the key on, so what the heck went wrong.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rick

OK, I checked out a wiring book from the library, not vehicle specific, just a general electric book.

In the book it said to disconnect the neg batery cable and put a test light between the disconnected cable and the neg battery post, the light came on and it wasn't suppose to. it then says to disconnect alternator wires to see if the light goes off. disconnected the wires from the screw termainal and the large quick connect and still have power between the cable and the battery post. can not easily get the small 1 wire quick connect off or I would have tried that one to. It then recomends removing fuses til the light goes off. removed the fuses I thought would be the problem, but the test light still lights between the disconnected cable and the neg battery post.

Any sugestions would be worth a try at this point. I am friggin frustrated. Anyone think maybe the megafuse could be the prob? If I can find it I will check it.