Urgent Alternator Question..

kapur · Post by **kapur** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:21 pm

Just got an urgent question.

I've noticed that their is a red wire coming out of the alternator...

Is this supposed to connect to the battery? If so, the positive i take it?

Is it supposed to be fused at the battery side? If so, how much should the fuse be rated at?

Gareth_GT_Hatch · Post by **Gareth_GT_Hatch** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:23 pm

is it the thick red wire? It connects to the starter motor. theres a black wire that goes from there to the +ve of the battery, they both screw on to the same terminal on the starter motor. Its not fused as it uses silly amounts of current, 100s of amps. Its relayed so that its independant of other systems.

kapur · Post by **kapur** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:07 pm

Cheers for the reply Gareth.

I'm referring to the red wire which i guess is covered with black sheathing... didn't notice this before..

http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13204

Where the does the black/red wire connect? Positive terminal i take it? Am i supposed to fuse the end of this wire close to the battery?

I haven't noticed a black and red wire as you said... Only that one wire which is covered in the black sheathing.

Gareth_GT_Hatch · Post by **Gareth_GT_Hatch** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:22 pm

yeah thats the wire I was talking about - no fuses! what exactly is the problem anyway?

kapur · Post by **kapur** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:49 pm

I think i may have disconnected the wire back in january when i had to change the battery. Their was a fuse attached to the wire, and the wire came apart... Thinking it was a power cable for the ice, i didn't bother putting it back in since i've got thicker wire to go on...

Now my battery is dieing down, it doesn't charge while driven, so i have a strong suspicion (sp.) that it's that wire causing the alternator not to charge.

Is the alternator wire supposed to be fused? What should the fuse be rated at nearer the battery side?

It's weird because you say the wire isn't supposed to be fused, yet this is the only wire which has been removed/changed since the battery was replaced, and this wire is fused:?: