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Re: Alternator Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Mon, 3 Dec 2001 08:40:59
In Reply to: Alternator, Chris, Sun, 2 Dec 2001 13:57:02 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The 9000 Haynes manual gives good details on removing the alternator. How hard it is depends on the year of your car.
As the others have pointed out, the problem usually isn't the alternator, but the voltage regulator, and more specifically, the brushes built into the regulator. The brushes wear out and the alternator doesn't work. However, the are some alternator failures - for example, if the diode pack fails.
I would contact a few shops. There has to be a few places that can test the alternator in the car. But I would try swapping out the voltage regulator first.
The voltage regulator is hard to access, but it's doable with the alternator in the car. There are three ways to access it. As the others have said, from above and from below. I come in through the side. I jack up and support the right front, and remove the RF tire. Then I remove the negative lead from the battery so there won't be any accidents. There is a big hole in the wheel arch liner where the driveshaft comes out, and you can reach through there to the alternator. The voltage regulator is on the backside of the alternator, held on with two screws. A mirror helps, and get a new regulator from the autoparts store so you know what to look for. You remove the two screws holding it in, pop it out, and pop in the new one. The only hard part is getting the screws out. Sometimes they come out fine, sometimes they start to strip. If they start to strip, you need to pull the alternator.
To remove the alternator, you remove the wheel arch inner liner - it's two plastic pieces held in with LOTS of screws. Don't forget the screws underneath. I takes me about 15 minutes to remove. Then you'll need to remove the serpentine belt. If you car has the manual tensioner, loosen and remove the belt. Draw yourself a little belt-path sketch, and don't forget to note which grooves it goes into. If you have an automatic tensioner, you'll need to relieve the tension to get the belt off. That Haynes manual is looking better and better right now.
The alternator comes out relatively easily, with just a few bolts. Now would be a good time to replace those belts if you haven't in a while.
The manual is very helpful. The manual belt tensioner is found on the earlier cars with two belts. If you have an automatic belt tensioner (one belt), it's trickier. Look for posts on replacing the serpentine belt.
What were the symptoms? Did the alternator light come on suddenly? Has it been flickering? Did it come on at all?
Good luck!
posted by 140.157....
, Mon, 3 Dec 2001 08:40:59 <-- Viewing This Message
, Sun, 2 Dec 2001 16:16:41
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