Alternators

Removal of serpentine belt: Directly below the alternator you will see a small idler pully, below that a tension pulley on a long trianglular arm. A 3/8 ratchet will fit right into the square hole near the bottm of that arm, pull up and towards you and the belt will go slack, just pop it off the alternator and then slowly let off the pressure on your ratchet (it will snap back with a fair amount of force and pinch your fingers if you let the ratchet slip).

Removal of Alternator: Remove the 8 bolts attaching the two motor mounts to the front of the van, rotate them upwards out of the way. Use a floor jack with a block of wood on top of it to lift on the transmission. This will roll the engine forward (much more safely than putting the van in gear and rolling it forwards). Disconnect the battery then remove the wires from the alternator. Behind the alternator, facing upwards toward the firewall are two bolts (15mm) remove the front one completely, the back one (drivers side) is slotted and only has to be removed half way. Remove the third bolt, the one you can actually see at the front of the alternator. Roll the alternator back out of the front pivot and lift up and out.

Installation : Reverse of removal instructions. There is a diagram of the route the belt takes on the front of the engine, normally on top between water pump and power steering pump, occasionally on the front panel by the hod latch.

A squeaky alternator is sometimes a sign that the fan belt or something associated with it is squeaking, not the alternator. (Possibly the belt or belt tensioner) So first I'd make sure it's actually the alternator squeaking before I proceeded. You could try some belt dressing on the belt and see if that helps or changes the squeak. If however it is the alternator, that's usually a sign the bearing's gone out and you will need to replace the alternator.

Most auto altenators can be removed by self examination. First, always disconnect the battery ground cable. Next look at the drive belt, does the front of the radiator have a smoll diagram of the path the belt take, if not you will need to sketch a drawing how the belt winds its way around the pulleys. Locate a 1/2 drive, driver bar, the long handle bar used with 1/2 socket sets. Disconnect the wire connection to alternator, use the bar to release tension on the belt, and remove, or release belt from its installed location. Now remove the attached bolts, and the alternator is free, and removed. Before starting, did you take your auto to local auto parts store, which usually checks it's condition free of charge. ??

First, make sure your all of your electrical connections and fuses are good. (battery cables are not corroded and cable to starter and ground are good) If they are good, it sounds like you either have a bad ignition switch or starter. You might try having someone turn the ignition switch to start position while using a multi-tester to see if you are getting power to the starter. If you are getting power to the starter, and it won't engage, chances are you need a new starter. If you do not have power to the starter, you might have a bad ignition switch. In certain circumstances you might try tapping on the starter with a hammer while someone is turning the ignition switch to see if it will engage. If it will, I would look to a bad starter. I have found that a majority of the time, a starter is the problem, not the ignition switch. Hope this helps.

The alternator itself with cost you about $60-$75, depending on where you go...if you install it yourself, that's it. If you have it installed, figure another $100 dollars.

Are your battery cable connections clean and tight ?

Yes, modern alternators have voltage regulators built in.

that depends on the car. older models tend ot have more than one belt, each powering one or a few accessories, but not all. later models have a serpentine belt, which powers all of the car's accessories, including the alternator.

Check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. You should read 13.5 to 15.5 volts. Any more or less is a good sign the alternator is defective. Of course if the alternator is making a squealing noise either the belt is loose of the bearings are failing. Take the vehicle to any auto parts store and they will check the charging system for free.

An alternator turns to the right, if facing pulley from side.

hallo how need replace alternator belt and tensionier on peugeot 307 hdi manual?thanks

The cost to replace the alternator in a Honda Odyssey will depend on where it is purchased and installed. The average cost of an alternator is between $100 and $150.

If the alternator is installed incorrectly, yes, it can drain the battery.

Bad connections somewhere in the car battery, alternator, feed line to ignition switch You must have a error code posted or the electrical is shutting down so the computer cant record an error.

Multiplex wiring is a new and clean way of packaging car electronics. It keeps the number of connections to a minimum..

Charge the battery overnight and have it load tested at a parts store...its free. Or carefully remove the positive (red)cable while the engine is running. If it quits then its your altenator.

Yes just follow manufactures instructional

Well the same thing happened to me and a mechanic said that i had to replace the alternator. He said it would cost around $400 which i think is a little high but idk. Take the car to a mechanic that looks honest and have him look at it. He will test for the voltage and it should be around 14 volts. But for older cars it will be a little bit lower around 13.5 volts. If its anything less than 12 volts u probably need a new alternator.

How do you change the alternator on a 1992 BMW 318 I

On my 97 Cavalier I can use a 15mm box end wrench on the spring tension idler pulley. The idler pulley is in the middle of all the pulleys on the belt. It is right under the engine mount and above the crankshaft pulley. It is difficult to get to, but I can put the wrench on the bolt in the center of the pulley and apply clockwise force (looking at the engine from the passenger side fender) to rotate the idler down. This will loosen the belt. You will need to do the same to re-install the belt. Be careful, the pulley will try to spring up when you remove the belt. Make sure you memorize or draw the belt path before you remove it. If you forget, Advance Auto Parts can print a diagram.

It was the same for our 2004 Cavalier. I took the right wheel off and lining behind it.... much much easier! (pulley and belt right there)

This is fairly easy. If you look at the top pully you will see a long screw, this is how you tighten the belt. First you must losten the bolt on the side of the bracket that holds the long screw, after doing so then you may tighten the belt. remember to re tighten the tension bolt or it will become loose again. It is the same for the other belt also.

Below is postscript to answer listed above by other donor:

Actually, you are half right. First you loosen the pivot bolt that goes through the base of the alternator. This bolt is accessible from under the passenger side wheel well. Then you loosen the bolt aiming horizontally through the alternator bracket, this bolt is up top. You then tighten the long bolt that is aiming diagonally to the ground. At this point, the bolt pushes away from the engine, tightening the belt. Next, tighten the horizontal bolt, then the pivot bolt from under the wheel well. I just love when people try to help, then give wrong answers like dude above did. Lesson, if you do not know, don't answer.

For each accessory there will be a locking bolt and a pivot bolt or nut. After they are loosened move the component as needed to tighten or loosen the belt. Many accessories have a square hole designed to accept a 1/2 inch square drive breaker bar. the bar can be used to lever the accessory and tighten the drivebelt ( fan belt ) Others have a cast lug, use an wrench for the same effect, but careful of those knuckles!

See where the coolant overflow tank is on the firewall? Now look to the passenger side and down. It is kinda hard to see cause there is a bracket over it. The adjustment bolt is through the bracket on the firewall side. It sucks to change this belt.