Auto Alternator Check and Replacement:
Safety Notice
CAUTION! Safety first.
Be extremely careful when looking into or putting your hands or any other body part into your engine compartment.
Use safety glasses. Keep all body parts away from open moving parts, carburretorsor or air intakes -- assume it will backfire.
Backfires can produce blindness and/or third degree burns.
Keep long hair VERY securely pinned up, remove all jewelry, do not wear loose clothing while working on a car.
Heed these warnings even when the car is not running.
Don't open the radiator cap of an overheated car. When it's cool enough to open, use a rag to block any spray, and open very slowly.
Wear hard shoes capable of shielding impact from a dropped part.
Remember, modern cars have electric fans that can turn on at any time.
Be careful not to short the battery -- battery explosions can throw potentially burning/blinding acid.
Take proper precautions when jacking up a car so the jack doesn't "kick out".
A "kicked out" jack can be every bit as destructive as a kick from a large horse. Block the wheels, put on the brakes,
Seat the jack properly.
Never crawl under a jacked up car unless it has been properly blocked up and completely secured.
Even then, remember that earthquakes, sudden wind and drunk driver impacts happen.
A professional lift is always best.
The preceding warnings are by no means an exhaustive list of the risks encountered when working on a car.
Always use common sense. You assume full and complete responsibility for the use of the information on this page.
This situation occurs because the alternator is no longer making enough electricity to run the electric demand, and the vehicle is drawing power off the slowly dying battery.
If driven around long enough, the vehicle will use up all the battery's electricity and everything will come to a halt.
Since getting stranded at night is not the world's best motoring experience, it pays off in the long run to maintain and check batteries, belts, voltage regulators and alternators.
The good news is that determining which part of the system is doing its part and which part is a little tired or about to quit altogether is easier than ever.
Many auto parts stores now have portable diagnostic equipment that can sniff out in minutes what's going on with the electrical system.
Attention Prepare For Removal Making Sure You Do Not Lose Codes For Radios IF You Disconnect the Battery Completely Without Backup.
Step 1: Disconnect the battery negative.
This is an especially important first step, as all the electricity for the entire vehicle goes through the alternator.
Warning. A wrench or a screwdriver across connectors can quickly fry voltage regulators, expensive engine computers, and cause injury.
If the alternator has gone out to lunch permanently, replacing it is usually a relatively easy job.
Follow along with the step-by-steps for some alternator replacement tips.
Locate and loosen then remove the tension bolt or assembly.
Step 2: On a v-belt vehicle there are usually two bolts holding an alternator to its mounts.
One bolt or assembly maintains tension on the belts, and the other holds the alternator in place.
Step 3: Next, loosen the pivot bolt.
Step 4: Remove the pivot bolt.
Remove electrical connections and slide the pivot bolt through the mount. Do Not Strain Electrical Connections.
Remove the alternator. This is a good time to check and replace worn belts.
Step 5: Compare the old and new alternators to make sure everything is the same.
Transfer any connectors or bolts from the old to the new.
Step 6: Reverse the removal procedure and install the new alternator.
Step 7: Check belt tension.
A little under an inch of deflection is ideal.
Too much tension will quickly destroy bearings. Better a slightly loose belt than one too tight.
Step 8: On this vehicle, the alternator and the engine-driven accessories rely on one serpentine belt.
A spring-loaded tensioner holds the belt in place.
Slackening allows the belt and the alternator to be removed and refitted.
Step 9: Start the vehicle and check alternator output with a multimeter (can be done across Battery Terminals).
A Reading up to 14.8 Volts maximum is manufacturers recommended limit.
Step 10: Re-check belt tension after about 500 miles. Adjust tension if required.
Community Radio Wales Accepts NO resposibility for any damage or injury caused when undertaking DIY.
