Alternator wiring meltdown!

Some of the wiring from my alternator to the battery has melted badly. It looks like it was one red wire going to the positive terminal and some other smaller wires which go round the suspension turret and into the car. Bit hard to tell what colour they were though because they are so melted.

Any ideas on what might have caused this? Car hasn't run for a while but was running fine when it was laid up.

I had the exact same issue over a year ago. From what I remember I thought that it had got caught in the fan.

But after much help on from the club guys it was out down to 'black wire syndrome'. Basically getting old and corroding.

I managed to make a new harness and get a new connector and it's been fine since.

Headlamp wires did the same on mine. Older wiring just corrodes inside sometimes, and then gets hot when any form of current is passed through it. This is particulalry bad on circuits that have high currents like the alternator wiring, and headlamps etc.  I expect you'll find if you replace the affected wiring with new stuff of the correct ampage, you'll probably be ok.

Mike.

OK. Was going to look out for a loom to whack in but I think I may make it up myself after what you have said. Bought a load of wire earlier in the year so I can put that to use. I was worried it could be the alternator or some earth problem but will try rewiring first.

hi have got a couple of looms if you are intreste