Dead in the water!

[luv2fishN.M.]

today we were out on the lake for about 4 hrs. we smelled something like electric smoke coming from the the motor. sure enough, the bat died. looked at the alternator and the red wire coming off the back was melted off! so i reconnected it, and it sparked like if i was connecting it to a ground. only sparked once than no spark. than i tried to start the motor. motor wouldnt start. also the alternator started smoking. checked for spark at the coil and there was nothing. could the alternator cause all this? boat motor is a 1989 4.3 mercruiser. alfa 1. thanks for your help

 

[Don S]

Re: Dead in the water!

It's possible. Take it off, and take it to your local alternator/starter repair shop and have it checked out.

 

[deves3000gt]

Re: Dead in the water!

sounds to me like the altenator is a good place to start. It sounds like it started to over charge. I would take it off and have it checked. When you said the motor wouldn't start did it turn over?

 

[luv2fishN.M.]

Re: Dead in the water!

Have you ever heard of this happing? why would it lose spark? i'll take it to a shop and get it looked at or just get a new one.

 

[luv2fishN.M.]

Re: Dead in the water!

ya it turned over real good. the bat was sitting for about 30 mins so it had gained some charge from sitting there. the boat did not die during cruising. we were stopped with the stereo on. and when i tried to start it and leave the starter was hardly cranking the motor. thats when i looked at the red wire and reconnected it. thanks

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Dead in the water!

While you've got the alternator off, take the time to remove and clean, using wire brush, sandpaper, and/or brass wool, all the battery cable ends, both positive and negative. Make sure you clean the bolts and surfaces to which they are attached, as well. It sounds like you may have had too much resistance which led to your alternator cooking itself. I think a rebuilt replacement alternator is going to be needed. Make sure it's marine specific. Good luck and let us know the final outcome. Hy

 

[deves3000gt]

Re: Dead in the water!

Could the alternator short have poped a fuse? I would doubt that it would have shorted out the coil...but not saying it didnt just tryinjg to think of some easier/cheaper thigs to check first. BTW if you are getting a new alternator go to db electrical.com you will NOT find a better price anyware even with shiping. good luck