R32 Gts-t Alternator Not Charging, Possibly Blown Fuse

[wht32]

I don't drive my r32 much anymore, about once a fortnight. Because of this, I disconnect the battery when not in use. Last saturday I reconnected, but I accidently shorted the positive terminal on the battery with my 10mm spanner to the lip of the car body in the engine bay and there was a huge spark. Left a bit of a melted spot there actually

Anyway thought nothing of it, and proceeded to finish tightening up the clamps and started driving. About 45 mins later of driving I noticed things were dieing such as power steering, dash, gauges, engine starting to loser power/spluttering. Check the voltmeter on my turbo timer, and it was reading 11v, eventually the car died at 10v as expected. RACQ guy came out, jump started me, but alt wasn't charging.

Got towed home (for free yay ). Charged the battery back up (only 9 months old, fully charged at 12.8v), and started it up the next day, all good, no dash warning lights, gauges working, power steering working, but no charging by the alt.

So this weekend I'm gonna have a looksy to see what the problem is. Because of the short by the spanner and the massive spark, I could have burnt out the fuse. I had a quick look underneath on Monday night, but I couldn't find where the fuse link is.

Is it in the positive wire cable itself? Or is it a box? Anything else I should test for before getting a auto lec to rebuild the alternator?

[mad082]

it could be a fuseable link/relay thing that has blown. i had a similar thing happen to me once. car still ran without the relay.

i'd simply check both the fuse box in the car and the one in the engine bay and see if any are gone.

[t_revz]

in theory you shouldnt have blown any fuses as power has gone between battery terminals and not up the harness. but it depends where on the positive it was touching as the damage should be between battery post and point of contact. or could be on the earth side of things. unlikely but the regulator in the alternator could have copped a spike... start by making sure battery voltage is same at battery and alternator terminals.