How do you change an alternator on a 2002 Ford Focus and where is it?

Answer 1

Zetec-E engine: (located passenge side of engine compartment, below Power Steering reservoir) Remove securing bolt for coolant expansion tank, lift expansion tank out of clip and move to side. Remove drive belt. Lift power steering reservoir from retaining bracket and move to one side. Unscrew securing bolt from wiring loom bracket and move to one side (disconnect multi-plug). Remove the bolt from power steering reservoir bracket to release ground cable --- Carefully bend the ground bracket down (aid in removal of alternator). Remove the two retaining bolts from the canister purge valve and move to one side. Remove the plastic cover, unscrew the nut and disconnect the wiring from the back of the alternator. Unscrew and remove the bolt nearest the engine. Unscrew the other retaining bolt until it is fully disengaged from the threads (will not be possible to remove bolt from alternator until after alternator has been removed). INSTALL: put this bolt in new alternator before lowering alternator into position. Installation is reverse of removal procedure (Don't forget to carefully bend ground bracket back to original position).

2.0L SPI engine: (located: passenge side of engine compartment, possibly below power steering pump, follow drive belt) Remove the bolts holding the power steering pipe brackets to the exhaust manifold and set the pipe to one side. Remove the exhaust manifold heat shield. Remove the drive belt. Remove the plastic cover, unscrew the nut and disconnect the wiring from the alternator. Unscrew the alternator mounting bolts and lift alternator from the engine. If this does not help see similar question/answer from four months ago.

-------------------------

SIMILAR QUESTION:

My boyfriend has a 2002 Ford Focus. He is trying to replace the alternator. He has it unscrewed and everything but it just won't come out. The book he has on the car isn't any help.

So, how can he get the old one out of his car? * 4 months ago

Ford Girl answer to similar question.

On this particular car, you need to support the bottom of the engine, and remove the engine mount to enable access to it. If it has the 2.0L DOHC Zetec engine, you will need to raise to engine slightly and tilt the engine forward (toward the front of the car), in order to gain the necessary clearance for removal.

On the 2.0L SPI engine you'll need to tilt the engine rearward (toward to back of the car) to get the alternator out. The sizes of the fasteners to remove are three 15mm bolts on the body, and two 18mm nuts on the engine. MAKE SURE THE ENGINE IS SUPPORTED BEFORE YOU REMOVE THEM. Hope this helps.

I have an 2003 Focus 2.0L SPI and I did not tilt the engine rearward to get the alternator out. I removed the power steering pump and the radiator fan. This is far easier than tilting the engine... I'm not sure why anyone would suggest this. Maybe necessary for some models, but I'd unbolt stuff all day before messing with tilting the engine.

Answer 2

It isn't easy for a tyro. Please go to Trak Auto, Auto Zone, Pep Boys or NAPA, and get one and follow the instructions to a TEE. If you don't get the belt tension correct, you're in for boucoup problems, trust me!! You also need a belt tensioner tool to get the belt off first. We had to take a guard from under the wheel well to reach it from under the car. Then you have to remove the radiator reservoir and the power steering fluid reservoir. After removing the two long bolts holding the alternator in and unplugging the wiring and ground wire it wouldn't budge. We finally tapped it out with a ball peen hammer very carefully. The next problem was there wasn't enough room to remove it. We unhooked a wiring harness nearby and with a special fuel line tool removed the fuel line and pushed it back to the fire wall. After all that it barely came out. Putting a new one in took one person on top and one underneath to tap it it to position because it is a tight fit between its mounting bracket. I wouldn't recommend tackling this job by your self. Also make a drawing or have a schematic of the way the serpentine belt fits around all the pulleys.

Answer 3

Remove the positive cable from your battery. Remove the cables from the alternator. Remove the wiring harness from the alternator. Remove the belt. Remove the retaining bolts. Reverse the process to install the new alternator.