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GM B-Body Forum, 77-79 Caprice/Impala Forum

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GM B-Body Forum, 77-79 Caprice/Impala Forum

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GM B-Body Forum, 77-79 Caprice/Impala Forum

A forum for the owners and enthusiasts of General Motors B-Bodies from 1977-1990, but dedicated to the owners of 1977-1979 Impalas and Caprices. Join up now!


2 posters

    78 caprice wagon killing alternators

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    oldspeed442
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    78 caprice wagon killing alternators Empty 78 caprice wagon killing alternators

    Post  oldspeed442 Sun Aug 08, 2021 6:25 pm

    i am really stuck... my 78 wagon started killing alternators. i had the starter go and that is when this all began. i got the car to start again but then the headlights got dim and it wasnt charging. i put a new alternator in it and it smoked it immediately. then i replaced the starter and went through all of the charging system wires. i couldn't find anything wrong. i put a new alternator in it and it was charging at about 14.5v again. i assumed the starter had a short in it. it ran fine for a couple weeks. i ended up driving it at night again, abd the lights seemed a little dim, but it ran 50 miles in the dark no problem. then a few days later it started running rough and died again... the battery was dead and the alternator was smoked again. put a volt gauge in it and checked it againsy my multimeter and it is spot on, both showing no charging. today i cut out the old fusible links on the starter and solded new wires in their place. instead of another remanufactured alt, i dug through my old parts and found another alternator. i put it on and it was charging at 14.5v again. took it for a test drive and it was acting fine so i figured i would test it... cranked the ac (it still works) and turned on the headlights. it wasn't 30 seconds and the gauge dropped to 12.5v and i could smell the alternator again. killed it again. i am totally stuck... please help! any ideas welcome. thank you.
    slimwud
    slimwud
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    78 caprice wagon killing alternators Empty Re: 78 caprice wagon killing alternators

    Post  slimwud Sat Sep 02, 2023 10:14 pm

    Usually loose connection at battery will smoke alt in short time

      Current date/time is Thu Dec 12, 2024 9:43 pm