Weee! Alternator fire!

Scappoose · 04-04-2002, 11:12 AM

And I consider myself lucky, because the thing lit up after 25 miles of my 30 mile morning commute, which is right when I pull in the babysitter's driveway. First I thought I smelled the clutch, which was odd since I just putted up the driveway. I turned it off and smoke started coming out from under the hood. I popped it, got the kids out of the car and out of harm's way, opened the hood and there was a nice little campfire on top of the alternator. And it was spreading. I ran in the house and she happened to have a fire extinguisher. After emptying the whole bottle, it was out.

Moral of the story: First, don't put off getting that fire extinguisher, like I've been doing. A quarter mile down the road I would have stood there and watched it go up in flames. Never would have put it out without an extinguisher. And second, get the new plug for the alternator if you swap it. When I replaced it 6 months ago, I had no idea it was supposed to be replaced. The guy at NAPA didn't say anything like, "Boy, you should get the new plug because it will GO UP IN FLAMES." NAPA says there is a sheet of paper in the box that absolves them of fault if the connector plug isn't replaced. I didn't see one. Why they don't just put a connector in the box and raise the price, I don't know. Ford doesn't do this either, from what the dealer told me, though they're well aware of the problem.

The worst part? Following the flatbed to the Ford dealer on the freeway, watching two dips**ts in a mid-80s Camaro BERLINETTA pointing and laughing. The insurance adjustor is coming out today. Looks like alternator, wiring, radiator hose and air conditioner hose. I've already ordered the G3 upgrade kit.

So how was your day?

chris91LX · 04-04-2002, 11:26 AM

Damn man, sorry to hear that.

Ok I am now officially paranoid about upgrading my alternator.

89 Cobra LX · 04-04-2002, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chris91LX
Damn man, sorry to hear that.

Ok I am now officially paranoid about upgrading my alternator.

Don't be paranoid, just make sure you do it right or pay to have it done. I had a 130 amp alternator installed about a year ago and it was well worth it.

Scappoose · 04-04-2002, 03:19 PM

Actually, upgrading is not a problem because you eliminate the connector that causes the problem, at least as it was explained to me.

If you change the connector in a stock replacement, should be no problem. If I'd only known...

Mustang_289 · 04-04-2002, 09:11 PM

Sorry to hear about your stang.

Upgrade to a PA-PERFORMANCE 3G 130AMP alt and it comes with everything you need to replace the oem connector which goes up in flames. Also make sure that you also go to 4gauge wire with 130amps as the stock wire could go up in smoke with a heavy draw.

Scappoose · 04-05-2002, 10:49 AM

Mustang_289,

That's exactly what I did when I got back from the dealer. Their prices blew everyone else away and they guy I talked to was very pleasant and helpful. Just wish I'd done it sooner.

1BAD89 · 04-06-2002, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Moral of the story: First, don't put off getting that fire extinguisher, like I've been doing.

I have been telling myself for a while now that I need a fire extinguisher in my truck, and I just haven't got one yet...now I will. Thank you.

04-04-2002, 11:12 AM	#1
Scappoose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scappoose, OR Posts: 42	Weee! Alternator fire! And I consider myself lucky, because the thing lit up after 25 miles of my 30 mile morning commute, which is right when I pull in the babysitter's driveway. First I thought I smelled the clutch, which was odd since I just putted up the driveway. I turned it off and smoke started coming out from under the hood. I popped it, got the kids out of the car and out of harm's way, opened the hood and there was a nice little campfire on top of the alternator. And it was spreading. I ran in the house and she happened to have a fire extinguisher. After emptying the whole bottle, it was out. Moral of the story: First, don't put off getting that fire extinguisher, like I've been doing. A quarter mile down the road I would have stood there and watched it go up in flames. Never would have put it out without an extinguisher. And second, get the new plug for the alternator if you swap it. When I replaced it 6 months ago, I had no idea it was supposed to be replaced. The guy at NAPA didn't say anything like, "Boy, you should get the new plug because it will GO UP IN FLAMES." NAPA says there is a sheet of paper in the box that absolves them of fault if the connector plug isn't replaced. I didn't see one. Why they don't just put a connector in the box and raise the price, I don't know. Ford doesn't do this either, from what the dealer told me, though they're well aware of the problem. The worst part? Following the flatbed to the Ford dealer on the freeway, watching two dips**ts in a mid-80s Camaro BERLINETTA pointing and laughing. The insurance adjustor is coming out today. Looks like alternator, wiring, radiator hose and air conditioner hose. I've already ordered the G3 upgrade kit. So how was your day? __________________ 91 GT - White, MAC cold air induction (that's it so far) 69 GT - Winter Blue, 351, C-4, mild mods 69 Mach I - Acapulco Blue, 351, T-10, bone stock

04-04-2002, 03:19 PM	#4
Scappoose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scappoose, OR Posts: 42	Actually, upgrading is not a problem because you eliminate the connector that causes the problem, at least as it was explained to me. If you change the connector in a stock replacement, should be no problem. If I'd only known... __________________ 91 GT - White, MAC cold air induction (that's it so far) 69 GT - Winter Blue, 351, C-4, mild mods 69 Mach I - Acapulco Blue, 351, T-10, bone stock

04-05-2002, 10:49 AM	#6
Scappoose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scappoose, OR Posts: 42	Mustang_289, That's exactly what I did when I got back from the dealer. Their prices blew everyone else away and they guy I talked to was very pleasant and helpful. Just wish I'd done it sooner. __________________ 91 GT - White, MAC cold air induction (that's it so far) 69 GT - Winter Blue, 351, C-4, mild mods 69 Mach I - Acapulco Blue, 351, T-10, bone stock

04-04-2002, 11:26 AM	#2
chris91LX Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Suburban Chicago, Hanover Park Posts: 695	Damn man, sorry to hear that. Ok I am now officially paranoid about upgrading my alternator.

04-04-2002, 09:11 PM	#5
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	Sorry to hear about your stang. Upgrade to a PA-PERFORMANCE 3G 130AMP alt and it comes with everything you need to replace the oem connector which goes up in flames. Also make sure that you also go to 4gauge wire with 130amps as the stock wire could go up in smoke with a heavy draw.