Well...tongiht I got home parked my car in the driveway, left the keys in the ignition and let the stereo play while i unloaded the groceries. Well...my dumb *** happened to leave the keys in the ignition...i realize a few hours later, run out grab the keys, go to bed..no big deal.

T his morning i went out to go to work (yes, working sundays sucks), and the car wouldn't start...dead battery. So i pulled my Dads truck around, jumped the car...let it run for a bit. Got in, turned on the headlights, and slowly lost power again. Telltale signs of a faulty alternator. Tried jumping it again, with the same results. To be sure i charged the battery to 12 volts, checked it with my voltometer...took them off, checked again...sure enough...no charge coming from the alternator. Checked the alternator..belt is in tact...however, upon further inspection of the battery, i noticed that what looks to be an overload protector or something (the thing connected to the positive battery terminal)..had at least one of the fuses blown. Which im assuming is preventing the alternators charges from reaching the battery.

Just wondering if anybody has had this happen, and if my alternator could have possibly caused the blown fuse(s). Its a 100amp fuse, which is quite a bit of power to cause a blow. Im confused at this point. If it is Just the fuses is there anyway to just replace them and not the whole piece?? Also, if it is the piece or the fuse...are they strictly mitsubishi parts, or can they be found at an auto store?? Only reason i ask is that i already called out of work (my EVO takes precidence over all else) and if i can fix it myself at home id like to do it, that way i dont have to miss work monday tooif i have to take it to the dealer to service under warranty.

Thanks in advance guys. I know its a long post, probably with too much detail than necessary, but i figured id give you guys the entire run down.

 

PLease take a picture of what you're describing. Check your local autopart store first.

 

it means u jumped the car back wards repace the fuse

 

I actually wanted to post a picture but cant find my digital camera. Its a rectangle piece connected to the positive battery terminal. Its housed unter the res sheath that clips over the terminal itself. know what ill do..ill get a pic of uder somebodys hood and see if i can find a decent shot of it. IS ANYBODY knows the piece im talking about...id really apreciate any help you could be!!!

EDIT--scrolled right past the other post....

Im pretty sure i didnt jump the car backwards (im pretty good at matching red with red, and black with black) hahaha. But regardless,... Can i just pop the clear plastic off that piece and switch the fuse inside, or do i need the whole unit, because the fuse i can just grab at a local joint. I would think if its the whole piece id need to go through service. correct?

 

It is what the other guy said you must have hooked the jump cables up backwards,blowing the fuse link,,just go to a local stereo shop and buy a gold or platinum (+) battery terminal and put it on eliminating the link all together that is what most people do.

 

alright man...that makes me feel a little stupid, but is a little bit of a relief. Think i can pick one of them up at Best Buy or Circuit City??

 

The battery amperage is the key factor for startup. You not only need 12V, you need roughly 400 cold cranking amps. Take your battery to an Autoparts store and put a full charge on it.

 

Yeah...i know what youre saying..luckily my dad has a car battery charger. Im just gonna get a new (+) terminal, like EVO3675 said. Hope doesn't void the warranty (knock on wood) because of it, but i need my ride.

 

Hope you didn't do anymore damage charging that thing backwards.

I've seen ECU's get fried from this mishap.

 

circuit city or best buy doesnt sell those fuses. Check autozone

 

if the fuse gets burned first your ecu is saved and thus fine.

 

^^ Yes a blown fuse might have save the ecu if he just tried jumping it.

But if he tried charging it backwards ( running power through the negative side of the engine harness cable ). It might have fried it on the ground side.

Who knows how long he charged it backwards.

 

He was able to start the car, and it ran fine until he removed the jumper cables, therefore he did not fry his ECU.

Later,

Keith

 

jmi11, did you ever get a new fuse or terminal?? I just blew my Alternator fuse, too.