RE: serious electrical help needed

["Dennis C." <dennis.2914@xxxxxxxxx>]

Wayne,

Not knowing just exactly what your problem is our Mopars are noted for 
burning the bulkhead connector and ammeter.

First if you don't have it get a wiring diagram for your car.  You can 
get it with a Google search.

Our cars do not have any over current protection in the alternator 
circuit except for the wiring itself as you may have found.

Again a Google search and information from other members will give you 
the information you need to fix your problem and protect yourself from 
it happening again.

Here is one example:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

I didn't go this far however I did add a #10 wire from the alternator to 
the battery lug on the starter relay with a fuse.  I also took the wires 
off of the ammeter, cleaned the lugs and securely bolted them together.

This eliminates the ammeter, a voltmeter is a better indication of 
charging.  It also eliminated full alternator current from running 
through one bulkhead connector to the ammeter then back out through 
another bulkhead connector to charge the battery.  Now battery charging 
current is not going through the bulkhead connector and the two that go 
through the bulkhead connector that went to the ammeter are effectively 
in parallel.

When you look at the size of the connectors in the bulkhead connector 
and consider the amount of current that can flow through them you can 
see it is a failure point.

Good luck with your problem.

If you just burnt the engine compartment side of the harness they are 
not that hard to get used and not too hard to repair.

New custom ones are available but expensive.

Dennis C.




Wayne Huseby wrote:
> 
> I have a serious problem. I replaced my battery today, hooked up the 
> battery to the correct terminals and completely fried my wire harness 
> under the hood. not sure if it is one wire that overheated and melted 
> the others but it goes to the firewall connector and over to the 
> alternator. probably under the dash also.
> Any ideas what may have happened and who makes wire harnesses.
> 
> This is not good. I am not sure what to do now.
> 
> anybody wants to call me to help  call 701-952-0306 and i will call you 
> back.
> 
> Wayne Huseby
> 64 polara 500



1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Van Conversion
1964 Plymouth Belvedere 318 Auto
1963 Plymouth Sport Fury 383 4-speed
1949 Dodge Pickup 289/C4 soon to be changed
1998 Honda Valkyrie Standard


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