GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hello, I have read the forum and have seen that some people have blown the 100AMP Alternator fuse by crossing the wires while jumping the car. A couple weeks ago I left the headlights on all day and had to jump the Vibe. I connected all 4 connections myself and Im sure I put positive to positive on both cars and negative to the negative terminal and when that didnt work I stuck negative onto metal parts of the car like the frame or something and then the car started. So then the other day I am driving home and the A/C, radio, entire dash, power windows, power moonroof all went out. The check engine light was on though. When my boyfriend tried to drive the car he said the battery light was coming on. He tested the output of the alternator and said it was double what the alternator is rated at. Is that normal?He said it was outputting like 160amps. Then he noticed the 100AMP alternator fuse looks like it has melted.I saw some of the fuse box has melted. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas on whats going on with my vibe?Its a 2003 with 100k miles. Thanks!!

Time to replace the alternator

Hi,My boyfriend said he put in a new alternator. He thought it was defective so he got another and it didn't charge either. Then he realized wires going to the fuse box are melted. He ordered a new 100 amp alt fuse.So an alternator putting out double the amps its supposed to during the load test means the alternator is bad? Do you think the excessive output from the alternator melted wires?Thanks for your reply!!Crystal

If it's putting out enough to blow the fuse and it's been installed correctly then something's either fried in the alternator or they gave you the wrong one for your car.Good luck!!!

Check the positve + wire going from the alternator to the battery, make sure it's not melted, it's flexable - no hard spots in the cable.Also check the battery connections for corriosion.I would fix the melted fuse box and wiring before putting anymore parts on. you may have wires that melted together and now have a dead short causing the alternator to overcharge.

Hi, The Vibe is fixed. Sorry I didn't update this thread yet. I was told one of the two bolts under the fuse for the alternator was almost falling out. He had to replace the fuse due to the melting. The car is fine now. Part of the fuse box is melted too but I don't think it needed to be replaced. The alternator is fine. He thinks maybe something is wrong with their alternator tester, he said it kept giving out different high readings each time he would check. Up to 300 amps. I have driven the car maybe 3-4 days now with no issue. Thanks!

Good to hear it was something simple!!

+1 Good to here, simple fix.