Starting getting the Check Charging System message the other day. Prevented me from taking my baby on a long road trip to Georgia.
Here is what is wrong and how to fix it:
1. Saleen uses crimp connectors for the wiring harness extension to the alternator. These connectors suck donkey dicks IMHO to put it mildly. Get any oil in them and they don't like it (oil is conductive and/or it can cause open circuits)! To fix this HARD SOLDER the connections with rosin core solder. Saleen needs to put this in their instruction manual.
2. Install an oil separator can. Saleen should include this in their kit! That way you won't have oil drippin out of the intake down onto your alternator and its connections, which BTW, started all this shit to begin with! I am fixing to install me one--BTW a parts list would be nice!
3. Credit Hawgman with this one: Clock your alternator counterclockwise (CCW) 120°. You can do this with the alternator on the car. This will move the connections to the right and get them away from any oil and also keep the CAI from rubbing on the wires. To clock your alternator with it on the car, disconnect the negative battery cable, and then hold onto the back case of the alternator firmly and push it toward the engine while you completely loosen those 3 long bolts that holds the alternator case together. Then while still holding the back of the case firmly, take a rubber mallet and persuade the back of the case to turn CCW until the 3 bolt holes align again, and then re-install the 3 bolts. Just be DAMN CAREFUL not to let the back of the alternator separate or you will have some fun putting the brushes back in!
4. Finally, check fuse #43 in the fuse box under the hood. Mine was blown from the wires shorting out as well! I used the fuse for the convertible top since I ain't got a convertible to start with!
Hope this helps for me first technical post on this nice new website!
Mikey
Here is what is wrong and how to fix it:
1. Saleen uses crimp connectors for the wiring harness extension to the alternator. These connectors suck donkey dicks IMHO to put it mildly. Get any oil in them and they don't like it (oil is conductive and/or it can cause open circuits)! To fix this HARD SOLDER the connections with rosin core solder. Saleen needs to put this in their instruction manual.
2. Install an oil separator can. Saleen should include this in their kit! That way you won't have oil drippin out of the intake down onto your alternator and its connections, which BTW, started all this shit to begin with! I am fixing to install me one--BTW a parts list would be nice!
3. Credit Hawgman with this one: Clock your alternator counterclockwise (CCW) 120°. You can do this with the alternator on the car. This will move the connections to the right and get them away from any oil and also keep the CAI from rubbing on the wires. To clock your alternator with it on the car, disconnect the negative battery cable, and then hold onto the back case of the alternator firmly and push it toward the engine while you completely loosen those 3 long bolts that holds the alternator case together. Then while still holding the back of the case firmly, take a rubber mallet and persuade the back of the case to turn CCW until the 3 bolt holes align again, and then re-install the 3 bolts. Just be DAMN CAREFUL not to let the back of the alternator separate or you will have some fun putting the brushes back in!
4. Finally, check fuse #43 in the fuse box under the hood. Mine was blown from the wires shorting out as well! I used the fuse for the convertible top since I ain't got a convertible to start with!
Hope this helps for me first technical post on this nice new website!
Mikey
