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Alternator and wiring problems

Tiny
KITTY STROBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 HONDA CRX
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • MANUAL
  • 300,000 MILES
My alternator is bad. While I was trying install the new one I noticed the positive and another wire are going through my fire wall and out the top of my dash. I think they made a ground since that is coming out of my dash. Does anyone know the proper way to wire the alternator or a pictures so I can do it correctly? I am so stumped on why previous owners even did this. The picture is the ground out of my dash I followed the positive wire and another alternator wire to that ground.
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Thursday, February 21st, 2019 AT 5:11 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

I have no idea what that is on the dash. I pray it isn't anything from the alternator. However, wires do run into the vehicle. I attached a wiring schematic for you to look at. It is the entire charging system. I had to break it into two pictures because of size and so you can read it. Take a look at it. It shows wire color, where they go, and indicates everything related to the charging system.

Here are a few links that you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Take a look through the schematics I attached and see if it helps. Let me know if you have questions or need help. Also, I would love to know what the wires sticking from the dash are for.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, February 21st, 2019 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
KITTY STROBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The wiring on this car in general is just a mystery. They bypassed the key starter to put a starter button in. I turn the key and push a button to start the car. There is a switch to turn on radiator fan that never worked. Only thing I can think of for that ground on top of the dash was he had a phone charger bolted by it but no wires to it so I didn't understand. The schematics definitely make more sense. I am going to try tomorrow morning redue it.
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Thursday, February 21st, 2019 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
KITTY STROBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Should I just replace the serpentine belt to while it is off?
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Thursday, February 21st, 2019 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

If the belt has cracks or looks dried out, I would. If it is in good condition, I would reuse it.

I'm glad they are helpful. Please make sure the battery is disconnected before you work on the wiring and alternator. Also, let me know if I can help. It sounds like you have your hands full.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, February 21st, 2019 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
KITTY STROBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
So problem I am running into is just getting the part out. I think the brake booster has been replaced. I cannot get it out on top or even out from the bottom.
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Friday, February 22nd, 2019 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
KITTY STROBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I finally got new part in and everything seems working good. The wire coming out of the dash is spliced into the ground wire for the alternator from what I can see all the rest of the wiring is done correctly.
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Friday, February 22nd, 2019 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

Good job. I'm glad you got it working. I still can't understand the ground wire coming out of the dash. Regardless, let me know if you need anything.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, February 22nd, 2019 AT 10:14 PM
Tiny
KITTY STROBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Car works fine now only thing is the engine will surge every now and then sounds like it will shut off. Would that be air control problem or fuel pump thing?
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Sunday, February 24th, 2019 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi Kitty and welcome back.

I hate to do this, but I have to ask you to repost the new question on a new thread. We are trying to keep all threads focused on one problem at a time.

Please do that and I will watch for it and reply.

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, February 24th, 2019 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
KITTY STROBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
So I went to yank out the mystery ground in my car dash. When I ripped it out now the entire car wont start or click over.
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Thursday, February 28th, 2019 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Wow. Do this. Tell me approximately where it is going and the color of the wire. I will look through schematics and see if I can locate it.

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, February 28th, 2019 AT 5:53 PM

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