Donzo Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Ok I own a 2000 Outback and I recently had my alternator seize. I proceded to get a new one at NAPA and replaced the bad alternator and belt. I install the new alternator and run the car for about 50 miles when i noticed a fuground nny smell. I parked the car overnight to check it in the morning. I start the car up and let it run for 3 min and shut the vehicle off. I touch the alternator and its fairly hot. I start to check some things and I use my DMM to look for shorts and I get continuity to ground from one of my power wires and trace it down to SBF number 4, 50 amp which runs out of the back of the engine fuse block and down a single white wire through the fender. I studied electronics and know the alternator shouldn't get hot unless the the current draw is high and to get that hot that quick denotes a massive draw. I also tested continuity of some of the fuses in the passenger compartment and I read dead shorts on the unfused side of a few of the fuses. The car seems to run ok aside from that. I also hear a noise I thought was the power steering pump but i discovered it is coming from the alternator. I would imagine from the serious draw issue. If anyone could help me I would love them always and forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 (edited) Napa makes parts that "fit" the car but that about it. They don't "work". Get your money back, throw the alternator back on the counter, and go get a junkyard one, OEM of course, By the way, if your battery is old, then that could be the issue overworking the alt. Sorry your old one seized, was it OEM? never charge up a dead battery using the alternator. It is bad bad for the battery and alternator. Charge a dead battery only with a charger. Edited November 6, 2011 by bheinen74 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 How are you reading dead shorts? Which fuses are they on? Did you fully charge the battery before starting with the new alternator? Have you had the battery tested? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Alternators run pretty hot normally. Hopefully the battery is charged up and not placing an extra load to the alternator. It would be nice to know what the current draw is on fuse 4. There may also be some bad diodes inside the alternator so doing a load check on it may be a good idea.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donzo Posted November 7, 2011 Author Share Posted November 7, 2011 I dont have access right now to test it my father lent me his van. Side note the battery is doing what its supposed to I did some basic tests. The alternator seems to work too. With both the battery and alternator removed from the car I got a dead short on the 1 SBF and I believe all the fuses in the passenger compartment that are fed by said fuse. (I believe some of the fuses were trailer, cig liger, SRS airbags A 30 amp fuse cant remember which and a couple others) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 If SBF-1 is the 80 amp main fuse then having a low resistance reading to ground may be normal as all the systems of the car tie to that fuse. It isn't a dead short but it is a low resistance. I assume no fuses are blowing out which would indicate a short problem. You may be wise to have a shop check the current load on the alternator to see if there is an excessive load on it along with checking the alternator full output to make sure it doesn't have an internal problem causing it to heat up too much. Alternators normally run hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the3rsss Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Just kinda throwing s@&% against the wall but......if you overtightened the belt wouldn't that overheat the front bearing? Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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