thanatos

Just repeating since the new posts arrived and I will be doing it tonight- to check the exciter wire continuity or short- do I simply touch by ohmmeter by the alternator post and bulb socket in the cluster ? ( if not burnt out )thanks j.

thanatos

Bypass it altogether if impossible to find short or break ? sounds stupid....i guess

Will Ng

trace the exciter wire back from the alternator. If memory serves me, I think there is a one-wire connector near the charging post, that this wire ends up. Make sure the plug is tight.

thanatos

thanks Will

RussB

Fuse 12 in my 88 5KCSTQ protects a number of low current drain items, including the alternator excitation coil. On the Bentley schematic for the 88 5000CSTQ its value is 15 Amperes; on the fuseblock diagram its value is marked as 5 Amp. Check your car's schematic diagram then make certain that the comparable fuse in your car is good.

Sorry, I don't have a schematic diagram for your model.

With the fuse in the car and ignition on, I'd use a voltmeter to check the voltage drop across the fuse: it should be zero. With the fuse out of the car I'd use an ohmmeter to check the fuse for continuity, even if it looks good to your eye.

thanatos

Thanks Russ- the odyssey begins...

thanatos

what other items are covered by this fuse in your car ?- it will help me to find similar one - none of them mention alternator or anything close on the fuse box cover..

RussB

On *my* car (an 88 5000CSTQ) the Bentley indicates that fuse 12 protects:

"Combination instrument, backup lights, turn signal, autocheck, diff locks"

Note that the alternator exciter coil isn't mentioned.


Are you trying to service your car without documentation for it? I hope not. First item I buy for any vehicle is its shop manual.