Burnt wire?

[gunnyart]

So the battery light came on the other day so I took it to Walmart and they put a load tester on it and replaced the battery under warranty. Put the 750 CCA battery in since it was free. (too big?)

The battery light didn't go off even though according to the Wally World "tech" said it wasn't the alternator.

I put it off for a couple days since I had a fully charged battery and the weather has sucked here lately.

So last night the battery had had enough and when I stopped and popped the hood I smelled burning plastic and saw smoke coming from what appeared to be down around the transmission on the passenger side. I don't seem to find any burned wires.

To eliminate the most obvious, I took the Alternator off and had it spin tested at the auto parts store and it is working correctly.

I've seen here that some folks upgrade wiring to "the big 3" Might this be the source of my problem and solution?

If not, where should I look first?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[calimobber]

So why do you say the battery had enough? saying car would not start?

did it sound like a low battery? like slow cranking?

Id look for what ever was burning smell might just be nothing, try and read the signs and dont guess or assume things.

Maybe you have a drain on the battery?

The big 3 is just upgrading the ground wires, It helps charging efficiency and over all voltage but is not really needed, we just like doing it for an improved electrical system. It wont fix your problem but is a good mod to do.

 

[DeathCougar]

So the battery light came on the other day so I took it to Walmart and they put a load tester on it and replaced the battery under warranty. Put the 750 CCA battery in since it was free. (too big?)

The battery light didn't go off even though according to the Wally World "tech" said it wasn't the alternator.

I put it off for a couple days since I had a fully charged battery and the weather has sucked here lately.

So last night the battery had had enough and when I stopped and popped the hood I smelled burning plastic and saw smoke coming from what appeared to be down around the transmission on the passenger side. I don't seem to find any burned wires.

To eliminate the most obvious, I took the Alternator off and had it spin tested at the auto parts store and it is working correctly.

I've seen here that some folks upgrade wiring to "the big 3" Might this be the source of my problem and solution?

If not, where should I look first?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Factory wiring is MORE than capable of handling stock loads. Doing the "big three" only helps if your wiring is damaged or you really need it for high output/high load situations.

First thing you need to do is pinpoint the actual problem, instead of trying to bandaid it. Start with the burning smell. Make sure the wiring for the O2 sensors didn't touch the cat and melt, shorting a wire out. Make sure the alternator harness is in good shape, all fuses are intact, etc. Start with the simple things first.

 

[gunnyart]

Okay,

I looked really carefully and can't find any evidence of a burned wire. (and it isn't smoking anymore)

I removed the ground at the firewall and on the fender by the battery and cleaned them up and replaced them. I suppose I ought to disconnect them from the engine and clean those up as well but haven't yet.

I used brake cleaner to clean up the Alternator and put it back on.

The light comes on a few seconds after running...BUT as soon as I increase the load by turning on the headlights... It goes off!!!

I'm thinking about trying a new alternator and seeing if that does the trick.

What say you?

 

[jeremyc74]

The alternator is a very real possibility, but it could still be a bad connection between the alternator and the battery.

 

[gunnyart]

Hallelujah!!!

Alternator fixed it!