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strange smoke, followed by alternator light
Yesterday, I used a Gunson Gastester on my car, a '78 SC 3.0. I'm certain it was connected properly. Last night, after a short drive, I noticed smoke coming up through the engline lid grill. I raised the lid, but couldn't tell where it was coming from. It smelled of plastic, I think.
Today, on the way to a funeral no less, the alternator light came on. I had no choice but to drive 45 miles with it on. Once home, the battery was pretty well discharged. I've done a lot of mechanical work on this car, but very little in the way of electrical, and I can't get to the alternator until Monday. My questions are obviously: What would cause wires to melt, smoke, stink? Just coincidence that the gastester was hooked up earlier? What should I be looking for? Thanks
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Daniel Crockett '78 SC Targa |
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11-09-2005, 05:58 PM
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Will program for food
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Maybe the alternator just died. If you lost your battery (little to no charge) then it sounds like the alternator was not charging. Check to see if the alternator turns freely. If so then you may need to rebuild it. I had one seaze up on me - broke the belt.
Does this help? If not I hope others will chime in.
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Greg Hnat 87 Targa Disassembled 90 944 S2 Auto-x, DE and semi-daily driver 98 Jeep Cherokee |
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11-09-2005, 07:05 PM
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Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
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The most likely possibilities:
1. a bad battery causing an excessive load on the alternator 2. an overcharging alternator (if internal regulator type probability of this increases) 3. a short to ground in the wiring (or bad harness) 4. an electrical accessory drawing excessive currents
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Have Fun Loren Systems Consulting Automotive Electronics '88 911 3.2 '04 GSXR1000 '01 Ducati 996 '03 BMW BCR - Gone |
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11-09-2005, 07:08 PM
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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Loren.... Nope.... Too complicated.....
Us British car owners know exactly what happenend. He merely needs some of this:  and the installation kit:   
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Harry 1970 VW Sunroof Bus - "The Magic Bus" 1971 Jaguar XKE 2+2 V12 Coupe - {insert name here} 1973.5 911T Targa - "Smokey" 2020 MB E350 4Matic |
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11-10-2005, 11:34 PM
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"Installation is the reverse of removal"
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'66 911 #304065 Irischgruen ‘96 993 Carrera 2 Polarsilber '81 R65 Ex-'71 911 PCA C-Stock Club Racer #806 (Sold 5/15/13) Ex-'88 Carrera (Sold 3/29/02) Ex-'91 Carrera 2 Cabriolet (Sold 8/20/04) Ex-'89 944 Turbo S (Sold 8/21/20) |
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11-11-2005, 06:06 AM
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Somatic Negative Optimist
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Lee: I hope you stopped instantly when the light came on to see if the belt broke, meaning: No Cooling.
Do a search here on how to check your alternator function; lots of info.
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1980 Carrerarized SC with SS 3.2, LSD & Extras. SOLD! 1995 seafoam-green 993 C2, LSD, Sport seats.  Abstract Darwin Ipso Facto: "Life is evolutionary random and has no meaning as evidenced by 7 Billion paranoid talking monkeys with super-inflated egos and matching vanity worshipping illusionary Gods and Saviors ".
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11-11-2005, 07:59 AM
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Quote:
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Harry 1970 VW Sunroof Bus - "The Magic Bus" 1971 Jaguar XKE 2+2 V12 Coupe - {insert name here} 1973.5 911T Targa - "Smokey" 2020 MB E350 4Matic |
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11-11-2005, 08:15 AM
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1977 Porsche 911 2.7 
944
Jeep
911
ME 262 (SOLD)
Colibri
Gas Mizer
Mileage King
Dog Bus
