Quote:
Originally Posted by vwnate1
Actually, the damage is done when you reconnect the battery ~ I don't recommend it but if you disconnect the ground cable and tuck it down behind the battery where it cannot connect and the engine still runs, the alt/ge is good , go SHUT THE ENGINE OFF before re connecting the ground cable .
This was part of my GM factory training long, long ago .
They taught us lots of things you're not supposed to do because if you don't do them *exactly right* you'll damage things .
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Good grief. Mechanics do stuff that makes engineers cringe. And they're taught how to do this cr_p in school! Here's an article that explains why what you've just stated is exactly wrong. When the load is dumped, the alternator creates a voltage surge that's rapidly dissipated in smoke and heat. You've just described an excellent procedure for creating endless threads about mysterious problems with brand new alternators and electronic components.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Load_dump
We used to see this a lot in old Jags that used the Lucas "helmet" battery connectors. These were famous for coming loose, which would result in the premature death of a very expensive vintage alternator. You never ever want to disconnect the battery from a running engine.