F355 Alternator Problem Solved!

Well, at least the car is working. I think we all were hoping it wasn't a hidden wire but alas that seems to have been the case. I can't even imagine how many hours of labor that took...

Ken

 

Reminds me of the problems I was haveing with my home alarm.

All wiring tested perfect. Every day the alarm would go off for no reason. Tested every sensor and magnetic switch, checked continuity of all the wires.

Did this four or five times during the month, everything check out perfect but still the alarm would go off once a day.

Finally determined what the problem was... When the alarm went off it was always in the afternoon... gave a clue. Seems the heat of the sun would warm the west wall of the house. When the house was constructed one of the nails that held the siding on the outside wall semi penetrated tthe wires of one trigger and when heated opened the cuircuit thus triggering the alarm. When the wall cooled down in the evening and in the morning, everything was fine. Ran new wires and no more problem, but it drove me crazy fo a long time. Had the alarm people out three or four times. They couldn't find anything wrong. I found it by accident by accidently knocking the wall while moving a sofa!

Glad to here you solved your problem!

JD

 

Heck of a deal!

Mystery problem. Mystery solution.

 

Get the old wiring harness back and inspect it. Nothing like a little forensic anaylsis.

 

The B+ cable from the junction block over the top of the motor to the alternator is too small a guage. I have replaced several that were cooked and discolored almost their entire length from overheating due to too high a load for the cable size.

I have been making them from welding cable of a larger gauge.

The job can be done with the motor in the car but is a little time consuming because the cable has to run the length of the valley of the motor under everything and then down the front behind the timing belt and cover on the right side of the motor. It is something every 355 will face at some point. It is also covered with a light weight version of Aeroquip Firesleeve the entire way.

 

Glad to hear to got it sorted out. Electrical problems are the biggest pain in the neck to solve.