The other day (Wed), as I was leaving from work, I fired up the L with the A/C on (93 deg. outside) and I started to smell what was like welding work. Hear at the shipyard, that could have been one of a thousand different oders. I went to the ATM on base (about 5 blocks away), hopped out of the L with the engine and A/C still running. I just happen to turn around and saw SMOKE!!!, comming from under the L!!!. I popped the hood and found a small fire (about the size of 4 lighted matchheads). It was an electrical fire, the pigtail ground wire from the alternator!
I had the L flat-bedded back to the dealership (by the way, the tow guys kinda scratched up the faring with their tow chains!). The dealership had just replaced the alternator about 2 months ago, for a "clicking" noise. Their diagnosis was that they think that the voltage regulator crapped out (new alternator, eh?), melted the stud and nut where the pigtail wire hooked on to the block, roasted the rubber insulation boot covering the pigtail connection. I will be getting a new alternator and wiring harness. Hopefully I can turn the GRAND PRIX GT for the L today! Although the Prix is not too shabby, many fat people have driven this car, I can feel the seat frame under my left leg!

 

Glad you and your L are ok. Btw, my wife's 1997 Gran Prix has the worst/hardest seats I've ever sat in.....and neither one of us is 'fat'.

Dan

 

Thanks L'ROD,

If I didn't stop at the ATM, who knows what would have happened. The Naval Base is near a sh#t burning sewage plant which is next to the Phlia. Intern'l Airport. There is usually some sort of funky stench about. If I didn't pull over for that, then I MIGHT have pulled over when I the flames became evident, flying from under the hood! By the way, I just purchased the Ford ESP Premium plan 300 miles before I flipped 36,000 miles, about 1 1/2 months ago! WOW, calling it close! It saved my bacon!!!