I have a 2001 pontiac grandprix GT, I changed my transmission fluid and then I reconnected the battery and started my car, then smoke started coming, I opened the hood, I saw insides of alternator glowing red hot ( not to mention it was a hot 100 degree weather). Does that mean it is time for a new alternator?
Alternator red hot and smoke coming out.
- Thread starter easym
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ls1mike
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All the cars I've had I have never had that happen, but you probably need a new one.
You sure it isn't just the color of the windings? Usually they are an orange/red coated wire.
Either way, it is probably dead, although you probably should investigate why.
Either way, it is probably dead, although you probably should investigate why.
Smoke probably from spilled atf on the exhaust. Why did you disconnect the battery? Is the alternator light on or is it making noise?
Pontiac did build excitement….
Where was ATF spilled?
It happened to my wife's 2002 F250 with the Powerstroke engine.
You’re confusing correlation (smoke) with causality (alternator).
More than likely, you spilled some ATF on a hot part of the engine, which caused the smoke.
Then you observed the “red hot” alternator, without actually measuring the temperature, or determining where the smoke was coming from, or even checking if the voltage from the alternator was correct.
And why are you disconnecting the battery to change your ATF? Is the starter right by your ATF fill?
It would take a massive discharge from the battery to heat the alternator the temps needed to glow red, which starts IIRC around 800F? Paper burns at around 450? Probably the red color in the windings, so that’s not as much to be alarmed by. I wonder if some ATF spilled.
Alternators can get surprisingly hot when working normally - a shot diode or an overload … they can get “stupid hot.”
Alternators can get surprisingly hot when working normally - a shot diode or an overload … they can get “stupid hot.”
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