Don't hit your alternator with a rubber mallet or anything else for that matter! no mallet impact could/would ever help with worn alternator brushes.
As Drifter mentioned , Its the starter motor on its way out you can tap with a rubber mallet or something handy to unstick and get going again but only in emergencies with no other options!

Sounds like a hack job conversion if you've got wires willy nilly lol

If you can't track the wires back maybe trip the ECU error checking and see what code shows up

How to
http://wantyoutoknow.wordpress.com/2...6/hello-world/

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1901557

http://youtu.be/-p5FmwGbxeE

Codes
http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-tr...das-18139.html