New alternator blowing main fuse

[Superhero]

2007 V8 4wd

Hi everyone, I just replaced the alternator (AutoZone reman) and battery on my 4runner and am having a problem. When I went to reconnect the battery it shorted and blew the main 140 amp fuse. My wife said she thinks she saw sparks from the area near the alternator and it definitely arced on the main battery post.

Any ideas what could have caused this? The connectors only go on one way and the wiring etc all looked to be in good shape. The battery was working fine before I pulled the alternator.

I'm going to get a replacement fuse tomorrow if anything is open but I'm concerned I'll just blow another one and possibly damage something important. Speaking of which I am really worried something may have fried. I didn't smell anything burning but still... The vehicle did start but wouldn't go into gear etc. with the blown fuse.

Any help is most appreciated!

 

[riceandpho]

try another alternator, at least disconnect everything and go over all connections. might have missed a wire or new alternator just bad.

 

[Superhero]

Is it possible to get to the connectors on the alternator without pulling it? I'd like to do that first before having to take the whole thing out again. That's a pain in the ass.

try another alternator, at least disconnect everything and go over all connections. might have missed a wire or new alternator just bad.

 

[Nokila]

try another alternator, at least disconnect everything and go over all connections. might have missed a wire or new alternator just bad.

+1

 

[Tacomabob]

It's possible to get a bad alternator out of the box, take it back.

 

[Superhero]

Thanks for the input! Look like I'm spending labor day pulling the alternator again. Gah.

 

[Superhero]

Ok so I found the problem. The hot connector on the alternator was touching the alternator housing and shorted. Should I replace the new alternator? I'm wondering if the electronics on it might be shorted.

 

[riceandpho]

Ok so I found the problem. The hot connector on the alternator was touching the alternator housing and shorted. Should I replace the new alternator? I'm wondering if the electronics on it might be shorted.

get another one, possible that the short could of cause some melting in that area. its lifetime warranty right if you got it from autozone or orileys.

while you doing the job again, i would also do the big 3 upgrade, never know if you need some stable power.

 

[Superhero]

I've already got it back in. Won't know if it's good until I replace the alternator fuse. No one local has it so ordered from Amazon. I did read of similar situations where the alternator was fine. The housing is barely marked and it is on a thick area with a bolt running through. Nothing on the inside there. Hopefully it's ok.

What is the big three upgrade?

 

[riceandpho]

What is the Big 3 Upgrade - And How to Install it - Mobile Install Guide

theres also youtube videos on how to do it. sonicelectronix has one thats pretty good to watch.

 

[Ross4runner]

That fuse is near impossible to change without breaking the fuse box. Saddly it dosnt kust pull out.