1991 Accord, when I start my car the alternator starts smoking after abt 2 mins. I turned on everything...a/c fan, headlights on high beam,radio etc...the smoking stops. WTH??? Any advice is appreciated. I just bought this car last week..still trying to work out all the kinks.

 

What does it smell like? Is it like electrical wire burning smell? Is it like oil burning smell? Is it like metal grinding smell? Does it smoke every time you start the engine? Does smoke come back if you reduce the load? Do you see proper charging voltage while engine is running?

 

When the load is reduced, it start smoking again. It is white smoke, doesn't smell like oil or electrical. no wires burnt...can't figure it out. I am thinking it may be the regulator????

 

Check carefully to rule out oil or something leaking from the engine INTO the alternator. Not very likely, but look to rule it out.

Measure system voltage with and without all that stuff turned on. The regulator should make it 14v or so regardless of what's running. Give us information...
voltage at battery posts:
engine turned off; voltage = ??
engine off, stuff turned on V = ??
engine running stuff turned off V = ??
same condition later after it starts smelling V = ??
engine running stuff turned on V = ??

Take the alternator to get checked at someplace like AutoZone, etc. If the regulator is bad, they should see that.

 

Thanks for the inputs guys, I will take it and have it tested in the morning. I will let yall know how it turns out.

 

I put a volt meter on it this morning,
car not running 12v
car running 15v
car running with all acc on including headlights 13v

here is there real kicker...no smoke!!!

don't have a clue why, but it seems to be working fine now.

should I trust it or put a new alt on the car???

 

just a thought, my power steering pump had a leak and leaked into the alternator and eventually burned it up. my battery had a good charge 12.1v but at the same time, the alternator failed all three test at auto zone.was weird feel the bottom of your p.s. pump for wetness.
Good luck

 

Sometimes the alternator will tolerate some oil leaked into it, but sometimes NOT...
Sorry to hear; but thanks for coming back & telling us the result.