canIlive

My friend replaced my alternator a few hours ago. The car turns on but now I am having electrical issues. The windows don't go down, the tail lights don't work, the horn doesn't work, the A/C doesn't work, the sunroof doesn't open, the power locks don't work, the windshield wipers don't work and the radio doesn't work either. Other than that, the car runs fine. I've checked all the fuses and none are blown. Any ideas??

Trini Boom

iTrader: (5)

Wow, that is weird but have you checked your relays as well with the fuses? That's probably where your problem is. The car starts and stays on in the midst of all of this?

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Perhaps got the "bat" and Ground wiring backwards?

ajm8127

iTrader: (8)

Check fuse 'a'. Its the biggest on in the box right next to that battery. Should be 140A for FED and 120A for Cali.

canIlive

I found the 120A fuse and it seems to be blown but I can't figure oyut how to replace it. I tried to pull it out but it wouldn't come out. Then I tried prying it out with a flathead and the plastic broke to pieces. Now I have exposed metal and don't know how to replace it. Help!

ajm8127

iTrader: (8)

You have to remove the fuse box from the vehicle. That fuse is held in place with two screws on either side of the fuse box. Take out those screws and the fuse comes right out.

ajm8127

iTrader: (8)

Oh, and a word of advice, next time you work on you electrical system make sure you disconnect the battery first (at least the positive terminal). Any time you work on your vehicle, it's advisable to disconnect the battery. The fuse blew because the positive lead to the alternator was shorted to ground. If the battery was disconnected this fuse could not have blown.

canIlive

ok, I opened up the fuse box and saw the screw that is holding it in place. I am going to the store to pick up another fuse first though..I assume this is the problem, right? or is it not supposed to be touching?

canIlive

what do you mean? are these connected to the alternator?

ajm8127

iTrader: (8)

Ignore that post. I don't see how it's possible to hook the alternator up backwards. The large wire connects to the post on the alternator for positive voltage, and the alternator is grounded through the case. It's not as simple as mixing up two wires.

Yes, that spot where you have the arrow drawn is supposed to have a piece of metal connecting the two sides of the fuse. I think Advance sells them.

canIlive

WTF! So I completely removed the battery and replaced the 120A fuse. Then, I connected the positive on the batter but as soon as I connected the negative, the 120A fuse blew again! What's going on here?

ajm8127

iTrader: (8)

Call your friend and tell him to fix your car. Sounds like he made a mistake wiring something. There is a big wire going to the alternator from that fuse. It must be shorted to something. It's black with a red strip I think. It should connect to the lug on the top of the alternator towards the rear of the case. It should not connect to any other piece of metal besides the lug on the alternator.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

There are 2 wires connected to the altenator not including the big connector plug! One is battery the other is ground then you have the plug! Sounds like either the 2 wires are hooked up wrong or your altenator is shorted!

ajm8127

iTrader: (8)

Sorry, I was just amazed at your post before that someone could hook it up wrong, but it definitely seems as though the B+ wire is grounded somehow.

The ground is technically connected to a mounting bracket for the alternator, and it is not necessary to remove it to remove the alternator. The big black wire with a red strip connects to the lug on the back of the case, and the plug should be self explanatory. It fits in only one way.