Help - Electrical Failure

[Mo411]

2003 Vibe GT 6-speed. Was driving along when a ZAP on my radio hit I shut the radio off and got another Zap then my radio was off and dash lights, speedometer, gauges,, turn signals, head lights - all off - car was still running. I was headed to get pizza and stopped at the pizza place -- couldn't get the car started again. some power on the annoying door chime. Sticks need the clutch fully down to start. I got it towed home and was getting dark. Started to check the Engine fuse box - looked like the 100A Alt fuse might be blown. Haven't checked inside fuses yet. Any Ideas? Thanks Happy 4th

[joatmon]

In the past, two genvibers have blown that fuse by crossing the wires when trying to jumpstart somethingAlso, johnsoax blew the 100A fuse shorting something out while messing with the alternator. The 100A fuse is bolted into the underhood fuse block, and in such a way that you have to move the fuse block around to get to it. He has some pictures and discussion about replacing it in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=16307 that will help.Still, that's a symptom, no idea what would have shorted to blow a 100A fuse while you were just driving along but it's something you want to try to find. If you buy a replacement, might be worth buying a spare until you know for sure whatever shorted out won't do it again..

[Mo411]

Hey Thanks I think I found the problem. As I read the Alternator short the next morning I looked at the Alternator which my son and & I had replaced about a year ago. Well I found a broken bracket on top of the alternator that most likely shorted out the alt 100A fuse. The fuse was not easy to get out until we losened the Battery and opened up the Air Cleaner housing. Then we could get to enough wiggle room to get to the underside of the fuse box to take off underside cover and the two screws that help the fuse in (both had different size heads) . Back and running now however after the Alt had gone it revealed the battery was weak and wouldn't charge since it had been all I ran on after the Alt fuse blew. SO. .... can anyone positively identify this bracket?

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