Alt putting out 17.4 volts. NOT GOOD right?

[Nasty-LSX]

The red wire behind alternator is getting so hot it's melting. When I check voltage at battery it's only at 14.2 volts while it's running. But red wire at alternator is high. Is my alternator bad? How do I diagnose this alternator. It's from a 1992 trans am. FEAD.

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[Nasty-LSX]

It's the red wire from the battery , to rear of alternator, not the 2 wire plug-in on top of alternator. Got so hot connector came off
The battery is brand new, so i know its not that

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[Tonimus]

Not good at all. Regulator is toast. Probably reading that 14.2 at the battery due to resistance from all that heat. Throw a new alternator at it and check for other crusties.

If you're feeling froggy, you could wing a new rectifier and regulator at it.

 

[Nasty-LSX]

Not good at all. Regulator is toast. Probably reading that 14.2 at the battery due to resistance from all that heat. Throw a new alternator at it and check for other crusties.

If you're feeling froggy, you could wing a new rectifier and regulator at it.

Are you saying to just buy a rectifier and regulator and replace them inside alt? No special tools needed? Thanks

 

[cowpoke]

you might wanna check the price of a new/refurbished unit. I'm all for fixing old stuff instead of replacing it, but sometimes, it's just way easier and quicker to get a new part and just chuck it in.

 

[Ricko1966]

Pull the alternator,take it to where ever and get it tested. If it tests bad replace it and tge wire to the battery. I'm suspicious with you only reading 14.2 at the battery running,wondering if it's a resistance problem with that wire,but the current sensing wire is getting the signal the alternator isn't putting out enough so it's cranking up. Probably going to be an alternator and replace that wire,but I'd still have the alternator tested.

 

[Tonimus]

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[Matt69olds]

If your reading 14.2 at the battery, but 17 at the alternator, then you are losing 3 volts in the charge wire. Either it’s severely undersized, or it’s in bad shape.

Fix that and I bet the problem is solved.