Hey guys, I'm having a problem with my 98 v6. Last week, I fried tha batt and alternator jumping another car. There were a few sparks, I shut the car off, and it wouldn't start again. I put a remanufactured alternator and new battery in. A week later, I turn the car on, and the alternator isn't charging at full capacity. I take it back and get another. As soon as this one is in, it starts overheating and melts the casing right off the wires. I've got another here now, but I'm afraid to put it in. I'm not sure what to do. I checked and it doesn't look like there's any burned wires, no blown fuses, or anything like that. The only odd thing I've noticed is that the check engine light turned off, but it has been known to turn on and off because it's a gas cap issue. If anyone has any advice, i'd really appreciate it. Thanks guys.

 

something is grounded, time to get the ohm meter out and start testing wires. do you have an aftermarket amp.

 

could you elaborate a little? the most experience i have with electrics is a high school honors physics class. and when you say aftermarket amp, the only aftermarket item i have in my car is the radio, which has been in the car since before i bought it a year ago. thanks for the reply though.

 

aftermarket amp would be wired to the battery and would be mounted separate from the stereo. well it would probly be a good idea to find a friend that has some experiance in auto wiring. anyways learn how to use a ohm/multi meter, How to Use an Ohmmeter: 10 steps - wikiHow and start tracking the wires that go to the alternator to see if one of the positive wires is grounded, then when/if you find one you will need to track it to the ground.

 

You need to find out what causin the short befero more stuff gets fried, Then you may want to take a good look at the fusible links (test them idividually), as the are the first line of defense when you cross things up and get a spark display.