Electrical issues, will not start?

Tiny
JACOBPAULSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
My car listed above quit working the other day as I was taking my friend to work. It started acting up and wouldn't accelerate normally, so I had my dad come jump the car we got it to start after about 10 minutes of it being hooked up then about a mile and a half later it started acting up again. So, we jumped it a second time and it took about 25 minutes this time. We took the battery and alternator to AutoZone they said they were both fine, just that the battery is drained. Now I've stumped any ideas?
Monday, November 7th, 2022 AT 11:45 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,689 POSTS
Hi,

The components can both be good but there could be a wiring issue that is preventing the alternator from charging the engine.

Do me a favor. Follow the directions in this link and let me know the results:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

I attached the wiring schematic below, so you have a reference. Make sure the red wire with a white tracer and the white wire with a red tracer both have power at the alternator.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.
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Monday, November 7th, 2022 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
JACOBPAULSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 64 POSTS
So, I found the issue this wire was loose and snapped while I was re-installing the alternator.

This is what it should look like.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBPAULSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 64 POSTS
But that snapped and now it looks like this.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 AT 8:44 AM
Tiny
JACOBPAULSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 64 POSTS
Also, what is this orange rubber thing called on the alternator?

Thanks,

Jake
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,689 POSTS
Hi,

The orange thing is simply a rubber wiring insulator to prevent anything from touching that wire. It will always have power and will short if grounded.

As far as the wire you found, what color is that? It appears to be a fusible link. If the wires are white with the red tracer, the fusible link needs to be replaced.

A fusible link, in this case, appears to be a typical wire, but they are designed to fail just like a fuse if there is too much power through them.

Let me know. Note If you look at the first pic I attached above, you will see fusible link 26, 120 amp. That is what goes to the white/red wires to the alt.

Let me know. Also, the fusible link runs from the battery to the alternator. I attached a pic below showing where it connects.

You will likely need to buy one specific to this vehicle. If you can't find one, we'll have to make one.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBPAULSEN
  • MEMBER
  • 64 POSTS
I found one but I can't get this bolt off.
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Thursday, November 10th, 2022 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,689 POSTS
Is the bolt head stripped? Have you confirmed the fusible link failed?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, November 10th, 2022 AT 7:16 PM

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