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Alternators
An alternator is an old term for electric generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy producing alternating current. Alternators are mainly used for recharging batteries and to power electrical loads of vehicles.
4,629 Questions
How do you replace the alternator on a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire?
First disconnect the Battery. Losen and Remove serpentine belt by lossening the belt tensoiner, you need a 3/8 ths drive wrachet theres a square in the center of the pulley attach and pull towards front of vehicle moves fairly easily pull belt off of alternator pully. remove the four bolts on the front of the alternator, one on the back and losen the nut where the bracket connects to the block at the manifold bracket flips up alternator falls out remove charging wire and the wire harness from alternator. to install reverse process.
How to replace a battery Charger?
Answering this question is very difficult for one simple reason: "what kind of battery charger are you talking about??? Automotive (and if so for what year, make, and model), riding lawn mower, tractor, what????? For all anyone knows you could be talking about a battery charger for a power drill (in which case you would go buy a new one and just plug it in to the outlet....sorry, couldn't resist). Please be more specific.
How do you replace the alternator on a 1999 GMC Safari?
1> You will probably have to remove the air cleaner housing to make room to work. 2> Remove serpentine belt 3> Remove 2 bolts on the front of the alternator 4> My alternator was clamped between the brackets and needed some prying to get it to pop out. It seems like there is another bolts somewhere but there is only 2. 5> Remove the 2 electrical connectors, one is hard to see. It is on the bottom back. 6> Install in the reverse order.
How do you replace the alternator on a 2001 Chevy Metro?
Take it to the shop if you have never done it before
How do you replace the alternator?
2000 Honda Accord V6 Here is how I went about replacing the alternator for this model. 1. Take out your car battery and have it charging while you work. 2. Loosen up your power steering container. The hoses can stay connected. Just loosen the bolt. 3. Undo all of the electrical clips that are on the fan so that you can remove the entire fan. There are two bolts on the top and one bolt on the bottom. I reached down with a 10mm socket and took it off (If you have trouble try putting the socket on the bolt and then the wrench into the socket for an easier fit. The fan should lift completely out. The hardest electrical clip will be on your lower left. That one is actually just clipped to the fan so unlike the others, you're taking it off the fan and not separating the wire plugs. Raise your fan out. 4. Take out the green plug off the alternator. 5. On the right side of the alternator is wire going in that is covered by a rubber plug. Pull off the rubber plug and use your 10mm socket to remove that bolt. 6. Loosen the pulley for the alternator. The bolt you're looking to loosen is NOT the large bolt of the pulley attached to the alternator but rather the next one back (back as in towards the back of the car). Just loosen the bolt (14mm I believe) in order to take the belt off the pulley of the alternator. 7. My next advice is to loosen the clamp that you'll see on top of the alternator (your green plug wire runs through this. Loosening this up will make taking the alternator out a breeze and is a cinch to loosen up. 8. Take out your two primary bolts holding the alternator in. 12mm socket should do this for you. 9. You should be able to pull the alternator out with ease especially if you followed step 7.
When checking the price of your replacement alternator be sure to know what the cost of your alternator will actually be. You'll see the price plus the core cost. By this they usually mean $145.99 Core $50. This means you'll pay $195.99 if you don't bring your old alternator (IE your Core) in first. If you do, you'd pay $145.99 plus sales tax.
Tools: Have a set of wrenches, sockets (14, 12, and 10mm), and a pointer magnet is highly recommended.
The whole process is rather easy if you know what you are doing. I didn't but now I do. I've tried to include the basic information I didn't know. Good luck! You can do it.
Replacing an AlternatorTo start, REMOVE YOUR NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL.Well first off if you have the shield under your car then you will have to remove that, 2 screws under the car, 2 screws and 1 popout clip in the front passenger side wheel well(you have to remove the wheel to get to it). Once you have that off you will be able to see the alternator from under the car. Start at the top under the hood, remove your plastic piece that covers the front of your engine bay, once that is off unplug the connectors to the alternator(one is visible and the other is under a black cap you have to pop off and unscrew), there is also a clip holding the wire to the alternator on the shield piece of it(pointing toward the engine, you will see it, it pops out with a bit of force). Once all connections have been removed you will have to slip your alternator belt off the alternator(if replacing belt as well, which I do recomment you just loosen the tensioner and pull it off of all the pullies) then there is 1 bolt holding the alternator in at the top (tough to get to but what I did was stick my arm down the side with a 10mm and wrap it around in front of the alternator and take it off. Once that is removed go back under the car and there is 1 bolt holding it in that you have to remove before it comes out freely. After that your home free :)
Manuallook into getting a Hayes repair manual or similar book for your cars make, model and year. It should tell you how to install the alternator. Your local library may also have a general auto repair manual to give you a general idea. Hope this helps :) also if you have a friend or a friend of a friend that is a mechanic, maybe they can help GeneralI can give you general information on changing an alternator because I've done it twice on my 1991 Chevy Cavalier. Before you get dirty and take your car apart, test it to make sure the alternator is really bad. If you have a voltmeter, measure the voltage at the battery with the engine off. For a fully charged battery, it should be 12.6 volts or higher. Start the engine and check voltage again, now it should be 13.5 to 14.5 volts, indicating that the alternator is charging. Auto parts stores can also test the battery and alternator both on and off the car. First of all, to avoid any short circuits, disconnect the negative battery cable before working on any part of the electrical system. I once forgot to do this while working on my car. The alternator wire brushed against the mounting bracket and made some pretty good fireworks under the hood. SAFETY FIRST!!! Once the electricity is off, take off the drive belt. If your car uses regular V-belts, there will be a curved metal arm above the alternator. Loosen this bolt so you can move the alternator to take the tension off. Note: You might as well replace the belt too if it's in bad shape. If your car has a serpentine belt (one belt drives everything) there is a spring-loaded tensioner wheel. Most auto parts places sell a special tool for releasing the tension. If there is enough room, vise grips will work as well for serpentine belts. Once the belt is off, disconnect the electrical wiring from the back of the alternator. There will usually be a connector plug that snaps in as well as the "battery" wire, a red wire secured to a post on the back marked "B+". Once the wiring is disconnected, remove the mounting bolts that hold the alternator on (usually two or three bolts), and remove the alternator from the mounting bracket (Don't lose the bolts!!!). Save the old alternator, odds are you will need it to return as a core to get your core fee back when you buy the new alternator. When you buy the new alternator, you will need to tell the parts guy what make, year, model, and motor size when you buy the replacement unit. Installation is simply a reverse of removal. 80's Hondaon some late 80's Honda's you have to remove the splash pan and the left side cv axle to get it out. Me firstRead Me First!!!! I have just completed the changind of an alternator on a 1987 Honda Accord. I did NOT remove the front left axel! That is the good news. The bad news is i did some grinding around one of the engine mounts(harmless, I assure you) The car was designed where is you have to remove the axil, but let me tell you, i explored that possibility and from what i read, i tried my way and it actually did work. If you have gotten to this point 1) Car is jacked up and you have located and loosened the alternator (if you are this far, you see what i mean) Its not coming out nomatter how you turn it, pull it.. i tried it all...believe me, its not happening.... If your this far...go get you a grinder and grind on the mount for a while. It will come out and it beats removing the axil and whatever goes along with that ie..grease spillage or ? If you know what you are doing than go ahead, odds are you are not reading this page anyway, but if your like me than take my advice..GRIND IT! ,,,It worksCheck out Autozones website. They have the Chifton manuels for most cars on the site. It will point you in the right direction.
Try thisbefore you remove your alternator, try this; turn your car on, open the hood, disconnect a battery terminal; if the alternator is working fine, the car should keep on running, if the car turns off, then you know you should change the alternator, I tell you this because I changed the alternator twice before I found the problem on my car. << - (Don't try that because unhooking the battery while the car's running can fry the electrical system. ManualThis is a very involved procedure, that is too complex to post here. Go to any auto parts store and purchase a repair manual for you ride. There you will find detailed instructions. Cost around $12 SimpleDisconnect the negative terminal from the battery. Disconnect the alternator's feed and secure it as to not make contact with anything. Unbolt the alt. and replace it (belt may be difficult to put back on...don't use a screwdriver though...could cause damage to the belt). Check the belt tension as per recommended tension. Reconnect alt's. feed and, then, the battery's negative.- Note:
Chilton's Guide is always a helpful knowledge base for auto repairs. =uD
AnswerYou should only have to take out 2 bolts and take off a belt. When replacing an alternator you usually want to replace the belt to. AnswerIt depends in large part on what kind of car you have.On most American cars, the alternator's on top--you unhook the battery, remove two bolts and the belt, disconnect the wires, take out the old alternator and put in a new one, then reconnect everything you disconnected. The other end of the spectrum is the four-cylinder Honda engine, where the alternator is behind the engine and you need to be a contortionist to get it out.
AnswerThis works for any rear-wheel-drive car, SAAB 900s, or any front-wheel-drive with the alternator in front of the engine. Basically, anything but an aircooled Volkswagen or a four-cylinder Honda (This works on six-cylinder Hondas too.)
Prop up the hood. Unhook the battery.
There are two bolts holding it in: the pivot bolt underneath, and the adjuster bolt on top. The adjuster bolt's the one sliding in the channel. There is also at least one electrical connection. Unhook all four of those. Remove the alternator belt from the car and take both to the auto parts store with the year and make of your car. Buy a new one of each. (Alternators come with a "core charge"--they rebuild them, and the core charge is to ensure you bring the old one back. But if you bring the old one in with you, there isn't a core charge.)
Go home with the new ones. Put it in its proper place in the car and install the two bolts, electrical connections and the belt. Get a big prybar and use that to pull on the alternator so it tightens the belt (when the belt is tight, you should be able to push it down no more than a quarter-inch in the middle with gentle pressure from your thumb) before tightening the adjuster bolt.
Hook up the battery and you're done.
If you carry enough tools with you, you can usually replace one of these in the auto parts store's parking lot. It takes about ten minutes.
How do you replace the alternator on a 2000 Ford Expedition 5.4L?
take off old alternater and all attachements including wireing replace withe new alternator replace all attachments including wireing
i had this problem i just had to make sure i was getting a good connection i just cleaned the battery cables
How do you replace the alternator on a 1993 Chevy Corsica?
yes 15 min 2 bolts and a plug just be sure to leave the belt on the rest and just gently rest it down in place once it's off the alternator. yes 15 min 2 bolts and a plug just be sure to leave the belt on the rest and just gently rest it down in place once it's off the alternator.
Will an alternator from a 1992 Nissan Sentra work on a 1993 Nissan Sentra?
are they the same size? did the car the alternator come off have the same options or more than the one your going to put it on as the amps could be less and you have a/c on your car and head lights on same time could cause problems you don't want
How do you adjust the belt tension for a 98 Accord to replace the alternator?
Apply a wrench to the center bolt on the pully and turn it will adjust the tension.
How do you replace the alternator on a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan 6 cylinder 3.8L ES?
It isn't easy! I just did the alternator on my 94 Grand Caravan 3.8 L. Book instructions don't help all that much.
FROM underneath the van: Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery. If you can remove the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold, it's easiest to take it out from underneath. There is a support brace that goes from the Power steering pump bracket to the engine block. Remove it, then remove the upper and lower alternator mounting bolts. Disconnect the electrical connections, and lower the alternator to the ground. If you can't break the exhaust pipe bolts free...this won't work.
Good Luck! Don
How do you replace the alternator on a 1993 Buick Regal 3.1L?
To give you the brief version, you will first need to disconnect the battery. Then you will locate the alternator. It is on the passenger side of the engine on the back of the engine. You will need to take the belt loose using a wrench to release the tension and then take it off. (Be sure to notice how it goes around the pulleys -- there is a diagram on the car that also shows this. Also, check the belt's condition before you put it back on as a new one is only about $25 and you don't won't this to fail on the road.) There are a couple of electrical connections - one unsnaps and the other is a large nut on the main bolt. It is kind of hard to get to these until you loosen the support bolts. There are about 4 main bolts that hold the alt on but I found that it was easier to go ahead and take the bracket loose as well. Some of the bolts are not easy to get to and it works best to have some assistance to help hold things and wiggle the alternatior out. Replace is the reverse of this. I got a lifetime warranty new alternator from Advance Auto for about $100 after exchanging my old one.
This is not a particularly difficult process but it does take some time. Also, you don't want to do this on a hot summer day when when the car is hot! BTW, I have 3 Regals and the only significant problems I have had with any of them was that on each one, I have had to replace the alternator and overhaul the trannies.
Take your time and good luck.
Your alternator did it come with a pulley installed ? Or did you have to switch the pulley from the old unit ? Is it the same alternator as the old unit? ( size , number , identifcation markings ) if not this can be your problem .
On some cars, the idler pulley {usually on the belt tensioner) can squeal. If you squirt some WD-40 or similar lubricant on the front of the bearing (engine off), and the noise goes away, it is probably the bearings in the idler pulley. If this is the case, replace the idler pulley, because the noise will come back after the lubricant gets slung out of the bearing.
How do you replace the alternator on a 1990 Honda CRX?
FOR DP-FI SYSTEMS The easy eay is to unbolt the alternator and let it sit for a minute. Now literally give the Honda a hug... put your left arm down the left side of the intake and then underneath it. Now grab the alt. with your right hand. Wiggle the stupid thing around until it can be passed from right hand to left hand, under the intake and out the other side. This takes a lot of wiggling and turning, but it is possible. I just did it last week.
For MP-FI SYSTEMS This one is a little more cooperative. Unbolt the master cylinder from the brake booster and shove it over to the left. Alternator will now come straight up.
Have patience. This job is truly a pain in the taillight socket. I've got 2 CRX's and I had to do this 3 times already...
You could also drop the drivers side cv shaft and it will fall out.
How do you replace the alternator on a Plymouth Breeze?
You have to loosen the tensioner (located near the alternator) then slip the belt off. Disconnect the neg battery terminal. Remove the bolts attaching the alternator to the tensioner and the bolt attaching the alternator the car. Then detach the electrical connector from the alternator.
How to replace alternator and belt in 1999 Chevrolet Camaro?
disconnect the positive and negative cables to be safe find the tensioner and push down to loosen the belt unplug the wires from back unbolt the battery cable from behing it remove the two remaining bolts holding it in and remove to put it back on just go in reverse of taking it off
How do you replace the alternator on a 1998 Chevy S-10 2.2L?
Disconnect the battery then remove the fan shroud. Release the tension on the belt and pull it off the alternator pulley. I use a ratchet with a 3/8" drive inserted into the tensioner pulley for leverage, but I believe they have tool or pry bar for this. The alternator has three bolts keeping it attached, the two on the front are pretty easy to see and remove. On the back side of the alternator is a bracket attching it to the block. There is one bolt (don't remember what size) which is rough to get out. I was able to use a ratchet and deep socket to remove it. ONce I finally got it loose, I disconnected the wiring. Installation is the reverse!
Why would a 1991 Chevy Blazer keep burning the ignition wire off the alternator?
The 1991 Blazer has a current draw causing the wire to burn. You will need to trace the wiring out to find what is drawing too much current.
How do you replace the alternator on a 2003 Ford Focus Ztec?
This might help....
http://www.focushacks.com/?modid=45&ht=Removing%20/%20Replacing%20Alternator%20(Zetec)
Did mine yesterday, alternator cost $96.00. The engine does not need to come apart, just some items on firewall above the alt. and coolant resv.
Where are the spark plugs on a 2001 Kia Sephia?
On top of the motor (a 4 cyl.) is an aluminum housing with a black plastic insert. Remove the Phillips retaining screws (either 4 or 6) and lift off the plastic cover. Inside is 4 holes, the spark plugs are down in these holes. The two on the left are served by a coil and the two on the right are served by another coil. Each coil has two spark plug wires going to... you guessed it.
How do you replace the alternator in a 1997 Honda Civic EX?
replacing it is a bit of a pain! from the top of the car remove the slide and anchor bolt from the alternater bracket. remove your 3 or 4 pin plug and diconnect the pos power line beside the 3 or 4 pin plug ( on the back of the alternater). now raise the car and from below remove the lower bolt that allows the alternater to swing back and forth. the bolt fits through the housing of the alternater. remove the belt. now the alternater is free. this lower bolt that was just removed attaches to a bracket bolted to the block. remove this bracket and the alternater will slide out of the bottom of the car. complete the above steps in reverse to install new part.
THIS IS HOW I DID IT
This is a general overview of how I replaced the alternator in my 1997 civic LX. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery. Jack the car up, position your jack stands, remove the driver's side tire. Remove the two bolts from the top of the alternator (12mm & 14mm). Unplug the green connector from the back of the alternator. Remove the terminal wire (the one protected by a black rubber boot) which is held on by a nut.
From the bottom, remove the small bracket (used to keep wiring in place) connected to the alternator by a screw or small bolt. Remove the long slide bolt from the alternator (14mm I believe). The alternator should now be free, from the bottom, push it out of its bracket and position it out of the way. You'll now need to remove that bracket that held the alternator in place (14mm I believe).
Remove the car's oil filter. You'll now be able to slide the alternator out from the bottom. It's a tight fit but it should come out. Before installing the bracket back in the car, make sure the new alternator fits inside of it. The new alternator may not fit and you'll have to adjust the spacers. I used a hammer to do this.
Repeat the process to install the new alternator. To tighten the belt, you'll be using the top 12mm bolt. Using a long tool or crow bar, you can push the alternator towards the fire wall, once you have the correct tightness of the belt, fully tighten the top 12mm bolt. Before starting the car, replace the oil filter and add oil if needed!
Word of caution, I tried two different "remanufactured" alternators from the big car parts store down the street. Both were bad, do yourself a favor, and don't get a remanufactured alternator! Spend the extra money and get a new one, I got mine from KOI/Savage. Best of luck!
How do you replace an alternator belt on a 1990 Honda Accord?
In order to take off the existing alternator belt you must take off the power steering belt first.
For each belt (the alternator belt and the power steering belt) you will need to loosen a couple of bolts that hold the belts tight. There is also a bolt used to adjust the belt tension that you must adjust.
I would purchase a CHILTON or HAYNES maintenance manual from an auto parts store or a book store. It will explain this very well and it has pictures.
Why would the battery keep going dead in a 1986 Cadillac Coupe DeVille if the alternator is good?
9 out of 10 times it is going to be a defective voltage regulator in the alternator. If you hav gone over the vehicle and have not found a draw, your going to want to check that voltage regulator.
You have to remove the lt cv 1/2 shaft so the alternator will drop down, this means you remove the spindal nut & disconnect the lower control arm ball joint so you could swing the wheel hub out from the axle. its a lot of work for an alternator change. lots of luck!!! When you do it look over the cv boot & replaced the 1/2 shaft if its torn. You could get a rebuilt 1/2 shaft for about 79.00 with lifetime warranty.
- Most people would give the above answer, and if you have the tools and the know-how that is probably the best way to do it, but there is another way and you need a friend to help you do it. After removing the belt and bolts, rotate the alternater over and remove both of the electrical hook-ups. Once you have done this, rotate the alternator so that the pulley side is facing the passengers side of the vehicle. It can then be rotated over the lower engine frame towards the passenger side. Then carefully pull it up the rear of the engine block being careful to reattach any of the lines that are removed in the process. Once again, it is impossible to do it this way without help. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!!!
