Why would charge light come on and....

[jimdigs]

my engine is running hot. Its about 1/8 from the top H line. Are the two related somehow? Never ran hot before. Thanks for any input on these two things.

[WmWatt]

There is a rubber belt in the engine compartment which turns both the water pump which cools the engine and the alternator which charges the battery. Sounds like a loose belt is a likely cause of your symptoms.

[jimdigs]

There is a rubber belt in the engine compartment which turns both the water pump which cools the engine and the alternator which charges the battery. Sounds like a loose belt is a likely cause of your symptoms.

Thanks for the reply. I looked and I had no alternator belt. lol. I went and bought one, put it on and now I have NOTHING. Turn the key not a sound, no raido, nothing. Only thing that works are the headlights? No dome light, nothing. Only thing I can think is when I was loosening the botton alternator bolt, my wrench slipped off and hit the alternator post and there was a spark??? Could that have messed things up? I don't get it. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks...

[WmWatt]

Afraid that one's beyond me. I believe there's a voltage regulator down there to keep the alternator from frying the battery or something. However you can remove the alternator and get it tested for free at some parts stores. I'd also search the Internet for alternator and charing problems as they are pretty standard for all gasoline engine automobiles.

[WmWatt]

Hey, how about a blown fuse? Sparks can do that. There's a fuse box under the dash by the driver's door, also three fusable links (heavy brown wires) in a plastic box inside the engine compartment ot the driver's side strut tower.

[1990new]

Do I understand this correctly?
The engine was running hot because you alternator/water pump belt was broken and missing so no coolant was being pumped though your engine.
You caused a spark at the alternator when you were putting the belt on and now your headlight work but nothing else does?

If this is true, sound to me like you may have blown one or more fuses.
If headlights work you are getting power from the battery to the fuse links and the head fuse link is not blown.
First thing to check is the main fuse link (center one) it carriers power from the battery to the main branch fuse circuits (in you dash on the left side).
If it is good start checking the individual Fuses.
They have short labels and carry power to several locations other than what the short label says.

There is a wire going from your alternator to your battery through the instrument panel that must have a good connection. If it doesn't you alternator will not send power to charge your battery. (I had this problem on my 89 Trixie last year).

[jimdigs]

Thanks guys for the input. I wiggled the main fuses under the hood. The two 30s and 40 in the middle and it started right up.