brucec@amex-trs.com (Bruce Carter) writes:
> Well this weekend turned out to be a real treat. The Prince of Darkness
> strikes almost fatal blow to the LBC. [...] The car started to stutter
> and stammer. There was a popping sound and the car died, no lights,
> nothing. Then it came the loudest explosion I had ever heard come from
> a car that did not produce a lot of smoke. [...] I saw pieces of metal
> and whatever else the alternator and regulator was made out of trailing
> behind the car in flames and hot embers.
Diagnosing from a distance here... I don't think a wiring problem alone
could actually physically dislodge your alternator and regulator. I can
think of two possibilities:
1) Your "Rube Goldberg" alternator connection let go after some extended
period of loose connection (which could explain the flickering lights
and discharge warning lamp). The dangling wires then wrapped themselves
in the rotating apparatus, which yanked them with sufficient force to
rip the alternator and regulator from their moorings.
2) The alternator and/or regulator broke loose first, which then precipi-
tated the electrical storm as the attached power cables grounded them-
selves all over your engine compartment.
In either case, the fireworks start after the damage is done, not before.
Not that this is terribly relevant at this point, of course. Console your-
self with the fact that not only did no one get hurt, but you even got to
salvage your car. Now fix it up and get back on the road! :-)
Andrew C. Green
Datalogics, Inc. Internet: acg@dlogics.com
441 W. Huron UUCP: ..!uunet!dlogics!acg
Chicago, IL 60610 FAX: (312) 266-4473
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