The procedure for replacing a car alternator is the same on basically all vehicles. Some parts may need to removed or moved out of the way to gain access.
Start by disconnecting the negative cable on the battery. Before doing so, keep in mind that you might have to enter a security code into your stereo afterward. Read the owner's manual before attempting to disconnect the battery on all high-end vehicles so the programming in the computer is not lost on these vehicles. If the manual advises not to disconnect the battery for more than five minutes, purchase a battery backup. This is a inexpensive device that uses a 9-volt battery and attaches to the battery cables to keep the circuits alive.
Remove any obstacle necessary to gain access to the alternator. Relieve the tension on the belt. Older units used a pivoting alternator with either a slotted bracket or a bolt type of tensioner under the alternator. Loosen the bolt and allow the alternator to swing inward, relieving the tension. Newer vehicles use a spring-tensioned belt. Use a wrench or ratchet inserted into the belt tensioner to move the tensioner away from the belt to relieve the tension and remove the belt.
Remove the plastic electrical connector on the top of the alternator by pulling it apart. Remove the upper or lower bolts--or in the case of an alternator that has vertical bolts through the alternator to a mounting bracket, remove these bolts. Remove the main battery positive wire on the back of the alternator.
Replace in the reverse order of removal and reconnect the battery negative terminal. On early model vehicles using a v-belt, tension the belt so there is not more than 1 inch of deflection when pressure is applied between the pulleys.
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How much does an alternator cost? That depends on whether your car is foreign or domestic, older or late model. |
Alternator charging problems come in about five flavors. Find out which one is causing your trouble. |
The main components of an alternator are the elements that produce the electric charge that is crucial to your car's smooth functioning. |
Learning how to check a car alternator is just the beginning of your journey into the heart of your car's electrical system. |
