Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

Alternator Wiring Problem

elektric_head

New Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Members Ride
VS Equipe
Hi,
I have a 96 VS Commodore Equipe and lately the 10mm cable that runs to the bottom of the alternator is burning out causing the car to die. It has happened about 4 times over the past 6 months. The alternator is only about 1 year old and has probably done about 4000kms
Is this a common problem and does anyone have any suggestions as to overcoming this annoyance?

Cheers
 

Zuicider

Banned
Joined
Dec 17, 2005
Messages
1,740
Reaction score
18
Points
0
Location
Stonedville
Members Ride
Set of thongs
check the earths , battery terminals and general tighteness of plugs. could also be the wire shorting out on the frame. loose conections will cause arcing
 

ephect

Donating Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
5,901
Reaction score
15,427
Points
113
Location
Melbourne
Members Ride
VS Acclaim V6

hako

Donating Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
8,020
Reaction score
95
Points
48
Age
80
Location
Toowoomba SE QLD
Members Ride
VS11 BT1 V6
The entire cable from the alt to the battery should be replaced - what happens is the connection at the alternator has to carry quite a high load - in excess of 80 amps sometimes which causes the cable to overheat at the connection - this causes the copper wires inside the cable to degrade - the copper actually crystallises - this increases the resistance of the cable resulting in more overheating etc and the cable eventually snaps off. If you cut the cable back a few cm and rejoin the connector the wire can still fail again as the damage extends along the cable for quite a distance from the alternator.
So the proper fix is to trace the cable back from the alternator to where it joins the fusible link and replace the entire cable with one of equeal or greater thickness. On my car the cable goes straight to the battery but mine probably failed before it came into my posession.
It can cause a fire if the cable shorts out plus damage the electronics and also kill the battery if you do have the dead short.
Good Luck.
 
Joined
Sep 28, 2013
Messages
310
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Australia
Members Ride
NOTHING
Sorry I dont mean to be a thread digger, but could someone please link me to the fix of the cable behind the alternator? The cable behind my alternator is all brittle.
 

EYY

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Messages
5,752
Reaction score
2,032
Points
113
Location
Vic
Members Ride
VS Statesman
Sorry I dont mean to be a thread digger, but could someone please link me to the fix of the cable behind the alternator? The cable behind my alternator is all brittle.

It's a thread to basically make you aware of the problem since it sounds like a few VS' burnt to the ground.

Mine had the same problem. You just need to connect the load sensing wire directly to the battery (with a 5a fuse). Then replace the wire from the battery to the alternator with 4AWG cable with quality terminals, make sure they're both crimped AND soldered.
 

EYY

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2011
Messages
5,752
Reaction score
2,032
Points
113
Location
Vic
Members Ride
VS Statesman
The wire basically is bolted to the back of the alternator and goes straight to the battery (with another part connected which goes to the fuse panel).
Unwrap the tape all the way from the alternator to the battery and you'll see what I mean. Leave the length of wire that connects the fusebox to the battery, but cut it off above that join, the part that goes up to the alternator.

Just connect a piece of 4 gauge wire from the battery to the alternator. make sure it's well insulated
 

HSVHessy83

New Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2021
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
40
Location
Crestmead/Brisbane
Members Ride
2002 Vy Holden Commodore HSV Clubsport
Yesturday morning my alternator caught on fire on my VY 2002 clubby, just 2mins up the road from home, i do have a aftermarket stero and amp/speakers. So from what ive read its the wiring lome from the battery to the alternator is the cause of the problem? Or is it just a faulty altnernator? Im getting the problem fixed today. Mechanic said the power stearing was leakin into the alter aswell. Also do the vy holdens have a common problem with the sump gasket leakin aswell? Sorry new here
 

losh1971

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
22,371
Reaction score
21,988
Points
113
Location
North Tas
Members Ride
VE Series I SS Ute
Yesturday morning my alternator caught on fire on my VY 2002 clubby, just 2mins up the road from home, i do have a aftermarket stero and amp/speakers. So from what ive read its the wiring lome from the battery to the alternator is the cause of the problem? Or is it just a faulty altnernator? Im getting the problem fixed today. Mechanic said the power stearing was leakin into the alter aswell. Also do the vy holdens have a common problem with the sump gasket leakin aswell? Sorry new here

Best ask your question in the VY forum. A fair bit of change from an old 3.8 & 5.0 engines to an LS.
 
Top