97 sebring throttle HOT! Fire melts

[wuzisname]

I have a 1997 chry, sebring. I just replace the alternator. Every time I accelerate the throttle cable gets hotter and hotter until it either catches fire, or melts down . I am now on cable number 3 and at 60 bucks a pop I am out of money and ideas! The alternator only connects one way so i am sure i didn't put wires in backwards. I am so perplexed. Can anyone please help me. Thank you.

[greenfiat]

Sounds like the engine is not grounded and the throttle cable is acting as the ground. There should be a ground strap or wire that runs to the frame and connects at the alternator. Without it everything will work with the throttle cable supplying ground untill it melts from too much current.

[wuzisname]

Thank you. From the alternator there is 1 plug connector that goes on oneway. Then there is a wire that connects to a bolt on the alternator, which i thought was the ground. Do you think there should be a third wire coming off the alternator?

Thanks

[greenfiat]

Check the wire that goes to the bolt on the alt. That is the ground. Make sure it is not corroded and check the connector on the end. Sometimes where the wire goes into the connector will become corroded. If you can see check the other end at the frame as well. If you have a volt meter check from the engine block (use the alt bracket)to the frame with the motor running. There should be 0 volts. If there is any voltage, (it does not have to be 12 - 14 V, 2 or 3 V are enough) then the ground is the problem. I have not tested it but the throttle cable is not likely a good ground and that may leave a stray 2 or 3 volts on the block.