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New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 3:07 pm
by elspectro29
Hi, I just bought a 1991 Prelude Si with a B21A1 and 171XXX miles. It isn't running right now, as there was a problem with the alternator and the plug connection to it. The car was sitting when the alternator began to smoke. The plug to the alternator is slightly melted. I'd like to find the source of the problem (the alternator itself, a wiring short, etc.) and how to fix it. All help is welcome.

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 4:43 pm
by spiffyguido
Was the car running when this happened?

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 4:44 pm
by elspectro29
No, it was off.

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 5:06 pm
by spiffyguido
Uggh...That's gotta be a short of some sort. I'd double check the wiring, particularly between the alternator and the battery.

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 4:18 am
by elspectro29
Thanks, I'll check that out and let you know how it goes.

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 4:14 pm
by elspectro29
I haven't been able to get much work done on the problem due to work schedules, but I have most of the equipment to do so. The burnt connector is called the C105 in the Electrical Troubleshooting Manual. It goes into the left side of the alternator when looking from the front. Here are a few pictures of it:

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When plugged in, the burnt section is on the bottom towards the rear (again, looking from the front). Obviously, I want to replace this connector when the problem is fixed, but I'm having trouble finding one online. Does anyone happen to have an extra one or know where I can find one? If not, I'll check some of the local junkyards. I'm also going to replace the alternator itself but those are more common.

Here's a picture of the Lude itself:
Image

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 5:10 pm
by spiffyguido
Holy heck! That's a clean lude! Love the pic.

A junkyard is probably your best bet. The plug is likely common between many different Honda models, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding one.

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:05 am
by Waldnerman
I recently swapped the rad in my sister's 89 accord and in the process we removed her a/c and I can say with 97% confidence that the plug was identical. Also I just bought a 91 si and was wondering if there was anyone else on this forum from the Calgary area. If so lemme know!

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:07 am
by Waldnerman
What I'm sayin is I agree with speedyg, check a junkyard.

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:39 pm
by elspectro29
Indeed the plugs match. I got a new one but haven't switched them yet, as it's going to take some soldering. I also have to change the actual alternator as it was emanating smoke when I plugged in the battery (I disconnected it QUICKLY). Also when I plugged the battery in, the transmission panel on the dashboard started flashing in Park (it's an auto), but the transmission was definitely in Park and the key wasn't even in the ignition. Other things, like the horn and lights, work fine. Any idea why it would flash like that?

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 10:28 pm
by elspectro29
Well, after what seems like an eternity, this Lude is finally on the road. I ended up having to take it to a mechanic to replace the alternator (it turns out the alternator itself was the problem; it was mounted wrong) among other things. It was certainly worth the wait. In my first day with it, I drove it over 50 miles. It isn't perfect, but it's turning heads. This weekend I'm replacing the upper ball joints on the front wheels, and likely putting the air filter back on. As for the odd flashing in my previous post is due to an AEM alarm system that's hooked up wrong. I'm going to have it removed entirely at some point. As I'm still relatively uninitiated to Preludes (I'm generally familiar with Hondas due to my brother having an Accord) I will be around this forum when any issue comes up.

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 11:25 am
by spiffyguido
Glad to hear progress was made.

Feel free to hit us up with any additional questions you have.

Re: New member, new to Preludes

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:16 pm
by bykfixer
This car was love at first sight for this geezer. Elspectro and the previous owner rolled it into the driveway and after he gawked, sat in it, took photos, sat in it and so on, I climbed into the cockpit. Getting back out was tricky as I'd aged some 20 years since climbing out of a sports car.

We threw everything we knew at it at the time and reluctantly towed it to a shop who replaced the alternator. We had one but could not remove the old one. It was installed backwards but in 2010 we didn't know it could be.

Fast forward 3 years. Elspectros preludes are recorded here at pd. Apparently mine too lol.
I bought a 97 SH and a 91 w/ 5 speed but neither fit the bill for me like the car featured in this thread.
A neighbor sold me his wife's car after sinking $3k in 2 years. When the red light flicker (battery lamp) got worse after a new alternator was installed, he'd had enough. So he was rid of his thorn, I plugged the green plug up correctly and we're both happy.
I love my red auto bucket of bolts and pick it first for quick trips. And it all began the day I sat in the broken car in this thread.

The car sits in my driveway 2 blocks from his place after donating the drivetrain to my preludes. But we have plans to restore it begining in 014 if not sooner.

By the way, we are affectionately called Sanford n Son Prelude Owners Group by some other owners we've met met over time due to the frequent junkyard trips required to keep 4 preludes going and a 5th one to resume restoration.