MGB & GT Forum

Hi all - When taking my alternator off the car, a wire came loose. I've been trying to get the wire back in the plastic connector but I'm not sure how to get it in there so it stays. Is there a trick to this thing? Can't seem to figure it out.....

CJ

p.s. MGB is coming along nicely - hope to take her for the first ride in about 2 weeks. Will provide a lengthy email once everything's done ;-)

If you look carefully, on most of these type of connectors there is a tiny little "ear" on the flat side of the metal connector. It is meant to point slightly outward. When you push it into the plastic housing, it compresses as it goes past a ridge and then clicks outward so that it can't reverse its way out. Either your ear is bent (bend it outward slightly), missing or the plastic is worn so that it no longer engages the ear.

As long as you hold it in place when you engage the connector, and make sure it is firmly seated, I don't suppose it matters a lot whether it clicks in place.

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Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

There should be a tab on the back side of the terminal it should be just above your center finger. You probably need to bend it out so it will catch on a notch inside the plastic plug haousing. That is, if it hasn't broken off. In that case you will need a new terminal.

Clifton

Terry said it better than I did plus he types faster.

Clifton

Ah I see. Based on this info I went back to push the "lever" back in but it broke off so I guess I have to buy a new terminal. Are these things for sale at an auto parts store?

Probably don't need to replace the terminal.

First, test fit the bare terminal over the male blade in the back of the alternator. Remember to test on the smaller blade.

If it is a snug fit you are good to go. Just stick it in the back of the plastic plug and when the plug is firmly home use a small screw driver to push the terminal in to make sure that it is seated well.

If the test shows that the terminal is a little loose on the blade, carefully squeeze the two rolled edges just a tiny tad so that it clamps better on the blade.

Jack

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I am in the northwestern North Carolina mountains, right up against the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lawn chairs are in the shop and always time to talk. Drop in any time.

My suggestion buy the kit from Moss and we do all three.

Thanks, gents.

Jack - I believe it fits pretty snug on the bare metal so I'll probably just stick the terminal back as you suggested.

I need to remove the alternator again anyway so I should be easy to plug everything back it, the alternator currently sits on the new motor mount and the belt seems too tight to get it off the mount.

How do I adjust the belt/alternator? So far all I could come up with is that I have my buddy pull the alternator upwards while I tighten the adjustment nut. Is that the way to go?

Yep, rotate the alternator UP with the pivot bolts bit loose. Use a 3/4" wrench to deal with the adjuster locking nut with your right hand as you lift the alternator with your left. If things feel too tight to do the lifting by a single hand, place a BIG screwdriver between the alternator body and the nut on the front upper pivot bolt and lever the alternator up and out, holding it there with your left hand while tightening the adjuster nut down below with your right hand.

Jack

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--------------------------------------- Services to Interesting British Automobiles-----------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------www.jackscars.net ----------------------------------------------------

-------------I like to think that I don't service automobiles so much as I provide entertainment, fulfill dreams and revive wonderful memories --------------

I am in the northwestern North Carolina mountains, right up against the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lawn chairs are in the shop and always time to talk. Drop in any time.

The belt should be snug, but not overly tight. Basically, you need it just tight enough so it doesn't slip when the alternator is at full field. Any tighter and you put excessive wear on the bearings.

There are lots of connectors at the auto parts stores, but I'm not sure whether they have the little tab or ear on them.

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Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

Thanks guys. The problem is that I need an extra mm of space between the alternator and the mount so that they don't touch. I have the feeling this belt is a little bit too short. I'll try to gain that extra mm and see how it goes.

Thanks again, gents.

CJ

Thanks guys. When I took the alternator off, it was easy to simply press on the connector and push the little guy on there with a screwdriver.

Also put a new alternator belt on so the mount and alternator are no longer touching!

Thanks,

CJ