I think my alternator is out??

[humburgler]

So I was working on my car with my friend and forgot to disconnect the battery. My friend grounded the wrench he had and I THINK he touched the alternator and it made a big spark. I started my car after that and it started right up but my volts gauge went from 14 to 12. 2 days later it started to drop even more and eventually my radio turned off, lights dimmed, and my car started bogging. I turned off all my lights and radio and managed to get it home. Would a new alternator fix this? Or do I have another electrical problem?

 

[HurleyTSi]

Check your alternator fuse. When you arc the alternator thats usually what goes about 90% of the time.

 

[humburgler]

Can I pick up a fuse at like napa or something?

 

[HurleyTSi]

Any parts store has plenty of fuses. Just match it to the number on top of your old fuse and you're set.

 

[MakeIt2BreakIt]

yeah prob just a fuse

 

[humburgler]

yeah my fuse is definitely f'ed up. The place where i'm suppose to put the fuse though is totally broken. Like just the slot where the alt fuse goes is like broken out, so i can't put the new fuse i got into it. Can i just get a new slot to put into the fuse box and put my fuse in it?

 

[907gs-t]

Can you take a pic so i can see how bad it is? Hopefully you won't have to replace the fuse box.

 

[Project2G]

I've done this twice swapping out my turbo. Both times I had to run to the 24 hr autozone to pick up a fuse.

 

[humburgler]

yeah ill try and get some pictures tomorrow, but yeah the whole freakin slot that holds the fuse is not in there because it was totally broken so i took it out. I really hope i don't have to replace the whole fuse box... that would be a B****!!

 

[humburgler]

okay so i fixed my problem with my fuse by putting a fusible link where my alternator fuse goes and im at like 14 or 15 volts when driving and 12 or 13 at idle. The only problem is my lights in my dash like flicker but my gauges and headlights don't and my radio isn't doing anything weird either. Any suggestions on why my dash lights are doing that? Thanks

 

[american-rice]

Flickering lights means a bad connection somewhere. When you were putting your jumper in and messing aound the fuse box did you possiby loosen any fused connections. I would check all the connections around the fuse box, or wherever your hands have been.

 

[popwarbunny111]

that'd be good if it was the fuse. thats come easy boy stuff to do.

 

[inthecease]

I could check all fuses, thats a really good place to start.

 

[Ibbanez]

I know its stupid but did you get the same same fusable link?? Just checking the basics

 

[JStoops]

make sure to clean the connections on your fuseible link (the wires) because they can become corroded and result in a decreased electric current