Rav 4 Possible Alternator Problem?

[maddiemaisie]

Hi, wondering if anybody could offer some advise, have an old Rav 4 (1995) the head gasket went on it and after other problems were found eventually had a recon engine fitted, was told after the engine was fitted that a master fuse was blowing and the problem was suspected to be the alternator, the engine runs fine when the alternator is not connected but once the wires are attached the engine slows and the fuse will blow, so the old alternator was tried from the other engine as there was no known fault with that alternator but exactly the same problem occurs, i took 1 of the alternators to a testing station and they confirmed the alternator was working fine? But the mechanic who is fixing the car still says everything leads to the alternator being at fault, can any body offer any advise on the problem or anybody had a similar problem?? I have to have the car back now and try taking it elsewhere but if this continues it's going to cost me a fortune (it already has!!) any help/advice much appreciated!! Sorry if it doesn't make total sense i know nothing about cars myself, just repeating what i've been told. Many thanks

[bothwell_buyer]

Welcome to the forum.

First thing is that its obviously a fault brought on when the engine was replaced.... perhaps they re-connected the wiring wrong... or perhaps they have damaged the insualtion of a wire going between the alternator and Battery causing the alternator to short/go to ground/earth. Whichever, an auto electrician should be able to trace the fault quickly.

I'd guess the charge cable to the Battery is damaged. See if you can find an auto-electrician in the area that could visit the car as you don't want to be damaging the cables.