Cleaning Connectors

[nknapp16]

Found a connector not plugged in, any idea what it's for? I circled the plug and where it connects to.

[nknapp16]

I also found this connection, which shows some melting and the PO cut out a red wire. Any idea what that was for? Leave it....fix it?

[eaglescout526]

That wire at the top I believe is the hood light for the Chrysler years. The melting wire is probably from the fact that it sits on a hot water hose.

[nknapp16]

Oh and thirdly, changed alternator positive wire, stud spins tho. It started up, but is there any way to tighten that down?

[Pete M]

4 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

The melting wire is probably from the fact that it sits on a hot water hose.

 

hot water isn't hot enough to melt the wire insulation.   but a short surely can.  

[SVPete]

16 hours ago, nknapp16 said:

Oh and thirdly, changed alternator positive wire, stud spins tho. It started up, but is there any way to tighten that down?

Typically involves disassembling the alternator. It's not thaaat hard, but could be intimidating if you have never done it.

 

To hold the brushes back when re-assembling, depress them and insert a small rod (paper clip or allen wrench) from the back through the holes in the brush holder.

[nknapp16]

Can I leave it as is or is it probably not gonna charge the battery?

[AZJeff]

Not only may it not charge the battery, but it might create a high resistance connection that will lead to overheating of the connection and a possible fire.

 

Fix the loose terminal to avoid a “carbacue”

[gogmorgo]

Point of pedancy, high resistance connections don't usually generate heat because they obstruct the current. What will however create heat in this instance is current arcing across a loose connection. 

[SVPete]

10 hours ago, nknapp16 said:

Can I leave it as is or is it probably not gonna charge the battery?

I recommend to fix the loose connection on your alternator, even if it involves having to get a replacement alternator. There is no goodness (or positive...to pun it) to what can happen if it comes apart.

[AZJeff]

6 hours ago, gogmorgo said:

Point of pedancy, high resistance connections don't usually generate heat because they obstruct the current. 

Not true.  High current plus high impedance WILL translate to high heat at the interface of the two surfaces.

[nknapp16]

You guys are all being negative. But I'll take care of it. 

[SVPete]

3 minutes ago, nknapp16 said:

You guys are all being negative. But I'll take care of it. 

Aaaahhh. Gooood

[gogmorgo]

1 hour ago, AZJeff said:

Not true.  High current plus high impedance WILL translate to high heat at the interface of the two surfaces.

No, it is true. 

Ohm's law. Current is voltage devided by resistance. I=V/R. Voltage in the circuit doesn't change, but increased resistance will reduce the current. This is why corroded contacts don't generate much in the way of heat, despite high resistance, they just block current operation.

 

Loose connections are different. Impedance isn't the issue in a loose connection, it's the current arcing across the gap that generates the heat. Like a welder. If you touch both electrodes they'll probably make some heat due to the current passing through, but to weld properly you need to hold them apart slightly to create an arc, which generates the necessary heat. 

 

Like I said, point of pedancy. We both agree that the loose terminal is not a good thing.