Alternator smoking

[Kyle Dagutis]

I just picked up a 2002 explorer XLT, and have been fixing some of the issues it has such as the 4x4 (needed a shift module), a couple windows, blend door, today I decided to charge the air conditioning system with Freon. The compressor finally decided to kick on and I was getting cold air. After this change the rubber cover on top of the alternator covering a 10mm nut started to smoke after a few minutes of running. This was not happening before i charged the system with the freon. I have no idea why this is happening and was wondering if anyone had anything like this happen before? The alternator and battery are new according to the previous owner. Thanks!

 

[Rick]

First check that all your battery connections, and grounds are tight and not corroded. If that all looks good I would measure the current draw of the A/C compressor clutch to see if it is drawing too much current for some reason. For that connection to be smoking the alternator has got to be pushing a whole lot of current into something...

 

[Kyle Dagutis]

Thanks for the response!! I'll try grounding the alternator first thing in the morning. How would I check the voltage on the compressor clutch? I have a feeling that the issue is something with the compressor.

 

[Mbrooks420]

You'd be looking for current (amperage) draw in series with the compressor clutch. You would have to break the positive feed to the clutch, and run it through a multimeter set to D.C. and current/amperage. Make sure to check the amp raring of the meter, and its duty cycle.

You can also ohm out the +24 and common, a low reading would mean it is likely shorted out.

 

[Mbrooks420]

http://m.wikihow.com/Measure-Amperage

This will explain in more detail.