B+ alternator bolt hot to the touch...

[volky1970]

Hi,

So yesterday I was warming up my car as usual and I decided to just touch the B+ terminal on the alternator and instantly gave me a blister.

I don't recall ever having this issue. Just popped up!

What could it be? Loose connection somewhere? B+ is tight.

Thanks.
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1970 Beetle Turbo 2109cc MS II EFI, W/M Injection, Intercooler, FORD Wasted Spark Coilpack, 48lb. Injectors.

[busdaddy]

Just because it's tight doesn't mean it's making good contact, take the connection apart and shine up all the parts, apply a little grease when reassembling as well to prevent corrosion.

You'll probably want to disconnect the battery before this job, unless you like excitement.
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[volky1970]

[jeffrey8164]

You’re making me want to touch mine.
Recently, I noticed mine had come loose. Not loose enough to come off but loose enough for an arc to happen that burned the post almost in half. In fact it broke in half when I tried to tighten it. Luckily I still had enough threads to save the situation. Now I check it every time before I start the car.
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[volky1970]

[busdaddy]

[Eric&Barb]

Even if the connection surfaces look clean it could be corroded just enough when pushing so many amps.

Had problem with starter turning over well. Cleaned the starter to transaxle surfaces and dielectric greased up, which improved the situation a notable amount. Pulled the starter solenoid off to do same between those parts and those surfaces looked nice and clean. Went ahead with the cleaning and greasing, and BOOM made huge difference.
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[volky1970]

[ashman40]

Is the B+ wire the stock sized 6.0mm^2 wire (equivalent of 9AWG) or something else? A smaller diameter wire would increase the resistance and cause heat to build up.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[bsairhead]

[calvinater]

[ashman40]

[volky1970]

Hi,

Saturday I disconnected the wire to find under the heat shrink a slightly loose connector and the strands being a bit separated. I cut off that part of the wire and used a new connector solving the problem. Now the terminal is nice and normal.

Thank you all for your time.
_________________
1970 Beetle Turbo 2109cc MS II EFI, W/M Injection, Intercooler, FORD Wasted Spark Coilpack, 48lb. Injectors.

[Eric&Barb]

Good that it was a simple fix. Thanks for the update!
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