Alternator Problem

[cobralee]

I did a no-no on my FE motor...when jumping the battery, I crossed the cables. The wire to my alternator (int. regulator) burned the cover but I fried the alternator. I got it rebuilt and installed it. However, when I turn the ignition on, the wire that connects to the male terminal on the alternator gets hot and smokes. The single wire going to the back of the alternator seems fine, although I've not fired the engine up.

Any ideas what the problem could be. Also, what is the purpose of the male terminal on the side of the alternator. The alternator is a stock Ford.

Thanks for any help.

Ron

[undy]

Evidently that wire, something being fed by it or is connected to it has shorted to ground. It could be your ignition switch, pinched wire, a fed relay/componant or even a hack job by your alternator rebuilder. Get your multimeter and start tracing the wire in both directions. Like I said before, don't assume the alternator's OK simply because it was rebuilt.

Dave