1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Logo
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curtis redmond Posted on Jun 16, 2016
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Finding short in wire from altenater to battery

Replaced battery alt spark plugs and wires alt keeps getting super hot but temp gauge stays at normal temp

2 Answers

jack layton

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  • Oldsmobile Master 5,569 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 16, 2016
jack layton
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If the wiring circuit from alternator bat terminal to battery, is the problem. You replace the wire, you don't hunt the short. My wiring diagram for your vehicle, says the alternator bat wire goes from alternator to starter solenoid then to positive battery post. The wire from alternator to starter solenoid has fusible link, I can't tell from here if link is faulty? As far as replacing wiring, use the same size, a little bigger wouldn't hurt anything. The amp rating depends on the size of wire and how many feet run. I have used those copper fittings on the end of cable, you have to crimp those ends. Make SURE you get a good crimp, you don't want a live wire coming loose under the hood. I accept no liability for your crimping. I have done this in the past, with no problems.

The auto store usually carries cables on a roll, you just tell them what size and how many feet, of course you need the cable ends and fusible link.

  • Marvin
    Marvin Jun 17, 2016

    If the battery tested ok I have one question, where are you buying the alternators? If it is one of the discount parts stories you may be getting junk rebuilds. I have had such bad experiences with their rebuilds I don't use them. Buy a factory Delco rebuilt, they are sooo much better quality. You can buy them much cheaper online. Go here: www.rockauto.com

  • jack layton
    jack layton Jun 18, 2016

    I agree, remanufactured parts have a high failure rate right out of the box.

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Marvin

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  • Oldsmobile Master 85,242 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 16, 2016
Marvin
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The temperature of the alternator is not read by the engine temperature gage. It gets hot because it is most likely trying to charge a battery that is failing, have it electronically tested by a auto parts store like Autozone or others, it is a free test.

  • curtis redmond
    curtis redmond Jun 17, 2016

    Could that be the reason on why the alt gets super hot? Like said before I replaced batt, alt, plugs, plug wires, head gaskets all the way up to spacing the lifters. Now it's running hot and there is electricity running threw the entire car like there's a short or grounding of a wire. I went threw 3 alts in 2 months and don't know much much else to do. I appreciate the time you took in looking up my issue and hope I can figure this out. Thank you much.

    Oh and it looks to be a 10 gauge wire but when I followed it I ended up finding another wire looking to be the same going in a different direction. Alt to relay box, box to batt, and another looking like it goes to fuse box inside of car

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How do i find the short from the 4 hole 3 wire plug from the alternator? new alt and new batt but alt keeps getting super hot when that is plugged in?

You really need a wiring diagram for your car before you can properly check the wiring.

There are a number of possibilities and not all of them are a short circuit.
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