Post by
centralcoaster33 »
https://forums.nicoclub.com/centralcoaster33-u27573.html
Mon Sep 18, 2017 11:14 am
Well, at least you got those bolts removed and replaced. So, there is some progress.
I was going to suggest loosening the belt and checking your wires, like the alternator wasn't working, but I'm not so sure. The battery should give about 12.2 volts. With the engine running, the alternator is spinning and you should have 14.4 volts at that time. That you get anything more than 12.2 volts means the alternator is pushing something out.
The grinding could be from the alternator either being installed crooked or that the belt is too tight or that the bearings are shot. Maybe start with loosening the belt some.
There are three significant wires on my alternator, the large wire that bolts to the alternator (I think it's the positive wire and goes to the battery), the small wire harness plug, with maybe like 6 wires in it and it plugs into the alternator for like signal wires and such, and a thick wire, not as big as the giant one, but thicker than smaller ones, bolts right to the metal chassis of the Alternator (I think it's a ground wire).
I once left the smaller ground wire disconnected and the alternator wouldn't push juice to the battery and died out during my test drive. I connected it on the side of the road, got a jump from a passerby and all worked fine from then on.