Subject: VERY IMPORTANT !! Please replace your alternator cable Author: 750ilinoz : member since April, 2007 : 75 posts Posted on: 2008-05-07 00:51:24

hi guys

i STRONGLY recommend everyone undertake this maintenance as a matter of priority. i was having charging problems a while back so removed the alternator cable to run some tests - pulled it out of the conduit and there was virtually ZERO insulation left - it was just 8AWG copper cable with zero insulation. and it's in such a stupid place...right above the exhaust manifolds with nowhere for the heat to go but up....

regardless of how well insulated the conduit might be from the block by way of rubber bushes etc...don't forget we are dealing with 140amps from the M70 alternator..which is not an insigificant amount...and which is able to jump to some degree. the shot of the E31 wiring loom showed the short at the end of the conduit - meaning that the spark either jumped straight to the manifold/rocker cover/head/block and not the conduit.

easiest way is to replace alternator cable altogether with some heavy insulation and run it up from the alternator aroudn the oil reservoir and aroudn the top of the strut / hydraulic reservoir as someone else has suggested.

i have done this, dont have any pics to post at the moment but will shortly. this is a 1 hour job to remove the cables but the peace of mind it gives is priceless.

seriously.....you will be SCARED when you do the job and see just how little insulation is left on the alternator cable when you pull it out!

DO IT!!!

750iLinOz
1989 750iL
143k, lachsilber, 17" Alpina alloys

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  • This is my car and it was quite a sight to see - txgr8white 2008-05-16 21:03:27 (94 views)
  • VERY IMPORTANT !! Please replace your alternator cable - 750ilinoz 2008-05-07 00:51:24 (100 views)
  • pic of the removed cable loom (url) - shogun 2008-04-29 18:16:52 (149 views)