GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I've got a weird one with a theory is like to run by y'all. I've had to replace my 100 amp alternator fusible link a couple times burnout because the filament burned out; the whole thing got HOT and the plastic socket it mounts to melted and charred!

I cleaned out the plastic, cleaned the bolts they link to, then replaced it after auditing for shorts. Everything was fine for a year then it happened again. The filament is fine but the prong for the link on the engibe side got reall hot and melted just that side.

My theory: I may have a bad wire or connection on that side and the resistance is turning that post into a heating element.

How crazy does that sound? Or should I be considering other causes?

I don't think that is crazy at all. Some mechanics use infrared thermometers to locate shorts.

A poor connection causes arcing,

arcing causes heat,

heat melts things.

You need to replace both sides of the connection.