Misfiring/Electrical problem

[Bob]

My V8's problems began with the idiot electrical warning light on the dash coming on. It came on for a few minutes then went out. --- A few minutes later the engine started misfiring badly. Then some smoke was spotted coming out of the trunk area. What electrical component is in the trunk (not the battery) that would cause this to happen?

[Paul93Lotus]

There is a diode within most alternators that if it fries will let off a puff of smoke. The first check I would do is trace your main positive battery cable to the starter and make sure the connection is good / no traces of electrical burn marks. Also do the same for the battery ground cable and be sure that it is connected securely to the block ground. If these both look ok, then look at your alternator and check for a) good belt B) tension of belt is good (relatively tight) c) be sure all electrical connections to the alternator are secure with no evidence of burning.

If those all check out ok, I would then hook a volt meter to the battery and run the car at idle and report back the voltage at idle...want to be sure you are getting a charge from the alternator. Typically most battery warning lights are tripped as a result of under or overcharge..so something is amiss in your charging system, albeit the battery, alternator, or associated wiring.

Good Luck!

My V8's problems began with the idiot electrical warning light on the dash coming on.  It came on for a few minutes then went out. --- A few minutes later the engine started misfiring badly. Then some smoke was spotted coming out of the trunk area.  What electrical component is in the trunk (not the battery) that would cause this to happen?

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[martynv]

Pauls sugestions seem like a good idea, you'll probably get something like 13.6 - 13.9 volts accross the battery if the alternator is working Ok. What wories me is why are alternator problems are causing it to missfire I can't see why this would happen unless the battery was fairly flat and causing the ECU problems. Could it be the warning light came on as a result of the engine starting to stall and the real problem is maybe something like an HT lead resting againsed something hot or has been abraded by rubbing up againsed something causing the missfire ??.

Martyn.

[INTREPER]

Thank goodness for the search feature! I just had the same thing happen to me over the weekend. Thanks for the great suggestions Paul. I know where to start now

If it turns out to be a bad alternator, how hard is it to swap out on a 98 V8? I've got some wrenching skills from working on old Mopars, but the Esprit lacks a little in room when it comes to wrenching, haha.