Fried my wiring

[kent]

Well two days ago I took out my alternator to replace some bushings and do some stuff that it was in the way of. It rained while I had it and the reg. out both got wet. 6-7 hrs later (when I was sure everything was dry ) I put it together and as soon as I re-hooked up the battery ffiisstt smoke everywere .burned up the main power source from the alt-starter to the fusebox up to the amp gauge and back ! This happend in the maybe 5 seconds it took to get the batttery cable off. Can't tell yet if I did any more damage, Just haven't had the heart to look to close yet. Kent

[duaneb]

Sorry to hear about your wiring. Only advice I can offer is make sure you open up any wiring harness the affected wires go through. You dont want to leave any other damaged hidden wires that will come back and bite your butt days or weeks or months later. Hope you dont find any more damage but better safe than sorry.

[namba209]

You're gonna have to drop the fuse panel to see if any wires were torched on top of the fuse panel where all the wiring goes in there. Also pull back the gray sleeving where the harness goes through the top of the footwell. I know this is a PIA, I had that happen to me one time and it's not a real lotta fun. Here's hoping it wasn't long in shorting out, so minimal damage was done.

[opelbits]

Kent-
I'm about to remove the wiring harness from a parts car ('70 GT), if you need something, let me know. I promise it will be cheap!

[kent]

How can I test my amp gauge to see if it was damaged? The wires up to it and back cooked. Basically the insulation just burnt off. The wires are still intact just bare. Does that seem right for a short? The damage seems fairly limited just need to replace 15' or so of wire.But no way to tell for sure until I put it back together.

[namba209]

You could put the ammeter in line with a battery and charger to check out the ammeter function. Just hook one lead of the battery charger to the battery post the other to the ammeter and one lead from the ammeter to the other battery post. That would be the easiest way to check it out IMHO.

[baronbors]

Originally Posted by kent How can I test my amp gauge to see if it was damaged? The wires up to it and back cooked. Basically the insulation just burnt off. The wires are still intact just bare. Does that seem right for a short? .

Yup- sounds right- check your gauge and replace the wiring and then look for any discolored insulation around the amp wires- sure sign they got hot too. If you need new amp gauge- I have a bunch of them.

[markandson]

Sounds to me like you had a direct short somewhere. When you reconnected everything are you sure you did it properly? I find it hard to believe that water could cause enough of a short to do the damage you are describing. Usually it would start to boil and steam off so fast that it could not do as much damage as you describe. You sure don't want to go and fix everything only to find out that it gets re-cooked the instant you connect it again.

[kent]

Yes I've been worrying about that myself but I'm not sure what I could have screwed up? I mean theres only two wires coming off the alt ( ground & charge) other than the pig tail that go's from it to the regulator the only thing I changed was I put on a new heaver ground and that was the first thing I checked its not in contact with anything live.

[kent]

Well I've got it almost put back together. On closer inspection I found that the small rubber or bakelite washer that insulates the alt post had cracked, the main power lead was grounded to the body of the alt! I wish I'd had a fuse inline or a fusible link in place, well live and learn.Does anyone know what size link would work on this line? It carries a fairly high load and I don't want it to blow without cause.

[Lindsay]

According to the DESTEC Wiring Diagram, alternator wire is 10 GA RED. The correct fusible link between alternator and wiring would be 14 GA (two sizes smaller). Usually local auto parts stores have fusible links with ring terminal already attached. NAPA auto parts (and others) also sell the fusible link wire without the terminals.

Old Fashion, I replaced my GT fusible links with new ones. Some Owners have installed fuses, instead of fusible link wire. Somebody who installed fuse holders can chime-in and indicate what they used.

Lindsay
71 GT

[baronbors]

Originally Posted by Lindsay Some Owners have installed fuses, instead of fusible link wire. Somebody who installed fuse holders can chime-in and indicate what they used. Lindsay 71 GT

Radio Shack in line fuse holder and compatable fuse hooked up right off the alternaror

[kent]

I ran into a small problem PO replaced instr. panel and none of the wires are the right colors I just want to know how the amp meter is wired? does the lead from the alt side of the fuse panel ( the one next to the alt feed on the box ) run to the B+ on the amp meter or to the L+. I really need to buy a good wiring diagram. I know that the wires next to the starter feed and the alt feed go to those 2 points but cant remember wich goes to wich .

[soybean]

Kent, try here in the Tech Center, it may be of some help. Jarrell
http://opelgt.com/tech/cgi-bin/exec/...html&perpage=8

[namba209]

Jarrell, sadly to say there are no useable system schematics in the link you provided.

Kent, according to my DESTEC schematic, the L+ lead from the ammeter goes to the stud in the fuse panel that has the buss bar going to the side of the 3 fuses. It actually goes on the stud that is closer to the 3 fuses. The B+ lead goes to the stud diagonallyacross from the L+ stud. The lead from the solenoid, where the battery lead bolts to goes across from the L+ stud. The remaining stud has the lead going to the headlight relay. HTH.

[soybean]

Ron, you are correct. I failed to read the file. A quick reply that I should have reserched before posting. My DESTEC schematic is at the shop. Sorry about that. Jarrell

[kent]

Thanks guys got it straight now I had it hooked up backwards I turned on the fan and the volts went up I tried it before I put the dash back in . Started it and everything works I'll have to be more careful next time but at least there was no major damage.