Smoke coming from new alternator...that's good right?

[Gipsy Danger]

So this weekend I replaced the alternator on my 71 coronet. After getting everything buttoned up I we to crank it and when I turned the key to on, not even cranking mind you, I saw smoke coming from what seems to be the alternator (view from inside the car). Not wanting to burn my car down I've taken out the battery until I can figure out what's wrong. Another funny thing is when I turn the key the voltmeter in the car goes to zero..any ideas? Am I grounded out somewhere? I figure I shouldn't be since I didn't mess with any wiring, but maybe I need to recheck the connections at the alternator. Is it possible that for some reason this new alternator has the wire connections swapped? Any ideas will help. Thanks guys

 

[nm9stheham]

Yep you appear to have short. Check the 2 small field terminals on the back of the alternator and make sure that there is not a grounding clip to the case on one of them.

Do you have a voltmeter? If so, disconnect all wires from the alternator, and check resistance from each of the 2 small field terminals. The resistance should be very, very high. Like 10,000 to 1 million ohms. If it shows near to 0 ohms then the field is internally shorted. I suspect this is the most likely problem. Do the same at the big terminal; you may have to swap the meter leads but you ought to get a high resistance reading in at least one direction.

If no voltmeter, then check your wires for obvious shorts and pinched wires; if OK, take the alternator back for a test.

A pix installed might help.

 

[Cranky]

I've asked to have new alternators checked before leaving the store before....same for starters but sometimes a starter will bench test ok but won't start the engine....

 

[Gipsy Danger]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I found the problem. One of the small terminal clips has some cracked sheathing and exposed wire right before where it clips onto the alternator terminal. Everything else looks alright...at least on the initial once over. Gotta run to the auto parts store and pick up some wire this weekend, but hopefully it's that easy of a fix.