Alternator/fusible link question

[jspaeth]

I was tinkering around with my alternator belt, to tighten it up a bit, and at one point I was loosening one of the bolts behind the alternator (to help allow it to rotate when I tightened it)

I remember braking the nut, and hearing a pop as the wrench came back.....at first I thought something cracked, but it was fine....

So I drive the car (with no problems) to the gas station, and when I restart the car, it starts up fine, but no tach, no clock, etc...!

I drove for another 30 minutes, back to school....on the way, my ABS light came on, and my AVC-R wasn't letting me reach full boost.......got back to school and started it, then took the battery off, car dies....so I figured alternator....

Finally, I remembered that crackling sound from before, and it turns out my 100A fusible link was blown....

My main question then, is that in driving the car 30 miles with a blown fusible link, could I have done any damage to the car?

I'm not great with the electric system, so I was just wondering if I could have f'ed up the alternator or anything (my instincts tell me no, but I'm not sure)

[blu808]

Not likely. Usually on a sr if your voltage is too low then it wont provide enough spark energy to keep the fire lit under boost.

[jspaeth]

Ya, I drove it home fine, no sputtering or knocking or anything.....I was most concerned if I could have screwed up any electrical stuff...

Thanks man

[blu808]

Just your battery.

[jspaeth]

Ruined battery?....or just drained it..

[blu808]

depends most batteries once completely drained will usually only get back 15% of the original capacity. Unless it is a deep cycle.

Some dont come back at all.

[jspaeth]

Okay....

After a few hours of research, I just found out that there may be a screw or bolt holding the main 100A fuse down...

I went out to my car and after some work, lifted that section out of the fuse box...

I notice 1 screw on the left side....I am guessing this what holds that fuse in....

Should I be able to buy this fuse from any local dealer....will PepBoys have it?

[180ways2slide]

i had the same problem my alternators ground wire grounded itself out on the alt and i searched and searched for that fuse and no one had its a dealer part

[Sir]

Its been a while since I did mine but I do recall there being one screw on EACH side. Common sense supports this too as if it was just one long screw holding both sides, there wouldn't really be a reason for the fusible link.

[jspaeth]

Ya I think I shorted it out....I was trying to loosen one of the bolts in the back, and at the same time I think the other end of the wrench hit the pos. wire going to the alternator...

I am happy I can feel my right arm....lucky I didn't get fried