Dead after new new alternator belt

[AdamandGreyson]

Evening all-

This evening after a quick trip to the auto parts store for a new belt for the alternator, while putting it on, I had to loosen the alternator mounting adjustment bolt to get the belt on, had a big spark and a little smoke, but then it stopped. Got the belt on and the alternator back in place now, truck is now completely dead. All battery cables are tight and in good condition. It was running just fine this morning. Any help?? Blow fuse? If so which one? Kinda lost now!

 

[Sad Sack]

Check your fusible links.

 

[Sad Sack]

Disconnect the battery next time.

 

[goldpack]

ran the battery to very little left,...and now it needs a wall charger.?

 

[Sad Sack]

If ….and myself not being all that smart, if you blew your fusible link moving an alternator to change a belt then there exists a critical flaw with the electrical system that creates a short and blows the link. Post back results of investigation.

 

[AdamandGreyson]

yeah definitely learned my lesson on disconnecting the battery!! I will check the fusible link as soon as I can figure out where the heck it’s at!

 

[Sad Sack]

yeah definitely learned my lesson on disconnecting the battery!! I will check the fusible link as soon as I can figure out where the heck it’s at!

Ya, look to see what may have grounded out when pivoting the alternator.

 

[goldpack]

yeah definitely learned my lesson on disconnecting the battery!! I will check the fusible link as soon as I can figure out where the heck it’s at!

not sure if you got a gmc or a chevy. but this site is typically cited on forums as a free library of factory service manuals (in Lichtenstein)
you might get a black and white diagram, showing such things.

Free Car Service Manuals from Operation CHARM — No strings attached!

Operation CHARM provides completely free repair/service/workshop manuals for over 50,000 models of cars and trucks manufactured 1982-2013. No sign-up or paywall.

charm.li

 

[bucket]

The spark was the positive post on the backside of the alternator grounding out on the cylinder head. In other words, you dead shorted the positive side of your system to ground. Lucky it didn't catch on fire.

Likely melted wires and/or fusible links.

 

[AdamandGreyson]

Yeah, I am thinking that as I tilted it over the positive post hit against something. IT is a GMC with the 6.2 Detroit in it. I will be hunting the fusable link when I get home, and see if I can find them

 

[Sad Sack]

Yeah, I am thinking that as I tilted it over the positive post hit against something. IT is a GMC with the 6.2 Detroit in it. I will be hunting the fusable link when I get home, and see if I can find them

If the post was what caused it, then I would think the protective boot on the main alternator wire on the back is missing. You can go to a local parts store and they should be able to get ya a new one like maybe a Dorman 85684.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/dorman-conduct-tite/dorman-conduct-tite-rubber-wire-boot/cti0/85684

 

[DoubleDingo]

The spark was the positive post on the backside of the alternator grounding out on the cylinder head. In other words, you dead shorted the positive side of your system to ground. Lucky it didn't catch on fire.

Likely melted wires and/or fusible links.

Had a similar situation happen on Mean Green in like 1991. Was driving home, there was a right turn to merge on the main highway and I always liked accelerating through it. This particular time, when I did the truck immediately died. Opened the hood to find the positive cable has shifted over into the exhaust manifold. Didn't pop any fusible link, but killed the battery. Luckily a schoolmate was driving by and was kind enough to run us back into town for a new battery. I made sure everything was more secure after that.

 

[goldpack]

Yeah, I am thinking that as I tilted it over the positive post hit against something. IT is a GMC with the 6.2 Detroit in it. I will be hunting the fusable link when I get home, and see if I can find them

I just added GMC to my acct details at the left. ...just noticed it was missing that point of pride.

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/account/account-details

 

[Ricko1966]

I started a fire changing a fuel filter with the battery connected. Freak accident,wouldn't have happened if the battery was disconnected,but I'm just not going to disconnect the battery everytime I open a hood.

 

[goldpack]

I started a fire changing a fuel filter with the battery connected. Freak accident,wouldn't have happened if the battery was disconnected,but I'm just not going to disconnect the battery everytime I open a hood.

I got one of these for one of my newer things when I was having retained power troubles. (like a 2002 gmc with that stupid sh;t wired into the door latch....and the door latch switch "not" wanting to work in 20F weather, and needing a WD40 spray for 3 days) ...edit: no fun when you are thinking the dash is going to catch on fire as the power is not cutting like its supposed to....or just going to kill the battery.

https://amzn.to/4n2Onrm

I got the kind with a dial for side terminal,.. thinking about switching it to the 86,...or whatever is having the most trouble that day.

nicer looking / maybe safer than a ancient blade disconnect, and the dial reminds me of old school big trucks and tractors. ....and nicer and Faster than screwing with a wrench every time you shut something down.

and on a square body...one more thing for the dirt-bags to find, vs. just smashing the $20 ignition lock ....before they just cut the cat converters off it in place.