Fire in the Hole!

**x-box** · 7th June 2007, 07:38 AM

Had a bit of a dissapointing evening in the garage last night to say the least.
All that needed done was changing the main starter battery on my 99fender, which also involved taking the deep-cycle out of course. Got it all done and replaced the battery and connected the main battery only, only to be disturbed by a burning smell a few moments later! smoke billowing from under bonnet. I promptly ripped the terminals off the battery and opened bonnet - extinguisher in hand.... could not pinpoint source of smoke. Once my heart-rate stabilised i connected terminal again and saw a faint trickle of smoke from the alternator?? The vehicle still starts but the charging/battery light on the dash is on, so it is now standing at home with all terminals disconnected and me very unhappy

So basically what could be the worst-case scenario, new or "rewired" alternator, and could it have affected any other wires in the loom??? I know difficult to judge but preparing myself mentally for a decent repair bill.
btw, what does an alternator cost? And is it difficult to replace/fit?

**bolts** · 7th June 2007, 08:06 AM

Have no knowledge of electrics but just had my alternator done on my D2 for a new bosh with upped amps to 140kws and set me back $190.00 fitted.

**Outlaw** · 7th June 2007, 10:20 AM

geez any excuse for a new alternator... i know you should upgrade for something better but there are easier ways

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 7th June 2007, 10:25 AM

sounds bad Louis

there have been a few alternator threads lately
big bucks for some of the new ones

**Quiggers** · 7th June 2007, 12:03 PM

Where there's smoke etc.....

Sounds like it's time for a new alternator, BUT....

Just a suggestion - what caused the alternator to send out smoke signals?

In removing various batteries, have you pinched a wire, causing the alternator to become a BBQ?

The alternator may have failed coincidentally, but given you've been in there playing with other electrics, it might be a good idea to see if anything else has shorted or crossed...

GQ

**PhilipA** · 7th June 2007, 02:02 PM

Did you reverse polarity the battery????
I cannot think of anything that will cause what you said?
The B+ wire is live all the time. The signal is only a little wire through the ignition.
I don't even know if reversing the battery polarity will do it.
Maybe it was just one of those weird Land Rover sympathetic coincidences.
Regards Philip A

**weeds** · 7th June 2007, 02:45 PM

i have never heard of a alternator cooking it self while changing batteries, make sure you check everything before hooking up a new alternator

**abaddonxi** · 7th June 2007, 02:54 PM

Did you wire as 24v not 12v?

Cheers
Simon

**x-box** · 7th June 2007, 03:14 PM

Yes, i must confess very sheepishly and highly embarassed that i did momentarily touch the leads across, but i think there might also have been some muck and dust/mud/whatever in the thing that did not help much! Not to worry, a Landrover mechanic will take care of it tomorrow, i have done enough damage for one week

, and one very expensive lesson learnt

.
This is the first time i stuffed it up, normally i'm ok with electricals.....
Still bloody embarassing.......

**Blknight.aus** · 7th June 2007, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by bolts

Have no knowledge of electrics but just had my alternator done on my D2 for a new bosh with upped amps to 140kws and set me back $190.00 fitted.

140kws, you got a v8 diesel driving that or what?...

in seriousness

yes hooking up the battery backwards can blow out the primary diodes in the alternator but usually they will want to be leaking for it to happen which means that they were dying anyway. So if its starting, running and nothing else has stopped working you may have potentially saved your self some money in the long run.

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