After installing a water pump my alternator started smoking?

Tiny
MRTONEG
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 260,000 MILES
After installing a water pump my alternator started smoking after testing for leaks on a drive. When I checked it after I got home, there was a small fire that burned a couple of wires, the ones from the ignition module to the crankshaft sensor, and all three of the rear spark plug wires were burned through the insulation down to the wires in the center of the wires. I'm replacing the spark plug wires, the wires from the ignition mod to the crankshaft sensor, but my question is, was it the alternator that caused this, or was it the ignition module? I'm also swapping the ignition mod, the plug connector got a little melted! A second question, should I change out the spark plugs? And I did have the alternator tested, it is bad.
Monday, May 1st, 2023 AT 11:27 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
It sounds like the alternator shorted out or you trapped some wires while the engine was being reassembled from the water pump job. Can you upload some images so I can see what's going on? Here is how to change the alternator out for a new one in the images below. I would also recheck your work to make sure the new alternator does not have any problems. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 AT 8:55 AM

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