How to repair, change or replace an alternator?

You want to ensure a nice snug fit. Line up all the bolt holes and tighten the bolts to the correct tension. Replace all the connecting components to their correct counterparts (as you previously labelled). Next, replace the belt. If you struggle a little with this, there are a few tricks on how to get the belt back on your alternator.

Can a cheater be used on an alternator?

If there is no transverse bolt, you can use a ‘cheater’ to hold the alternator in place while you tighten it into its correct position. Alternatively, a good assistant can help you keep the belt tight while you fasten the mounting bolts. Without the correct tension, you’re in danger of creating real problems.

Can a transverse bolt be used on an alternator?

Some alternators have a transverse bolt that will allow movement of the alternator on its bracket. This allows adjustment to the belt tension. If there is no transverse bolt, you can use a ‘cheater’ to hold the alternator in place while you tighten it into its correct position.

What will happen if the alternator belt is loose?

Loose Alternator Belt Symptoms. As you continue to drive your vehicle, the alternator belt gets a little bit more worn each day. It could be susceptible to wear and tear damage or it may even come loose from the pulley. Once that happens, you can expect all kinds of symptoms to arise. Nov 4 2019

How tight or loose should alternator belt be?

Pull the alternator away from the engine until the belt is tight . You want to be able to press down on the belt at a mid point between two pulleys and only be able to move it downward about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. When you have the alternator in the right position, have an assistant tighten the top bolt and nut to lock the alternator in.

What are the symptoms of an alternator belt breaking?

Loose Alternator Belt Symptoms Flickering/Dimming Lights. If you are driving your vehicle and suddenly notice the headlights flickering or dimming or cabin lights inside the vehicle dimming, this could mean you either have Vehicle Stalls. If your alternator belt gets too loose as you’re driving, it may cause your engine to stall. Battery Warning Light.

Where is the alternator belt located?

The alternator belt is a rubber belt that drives the alternator. It is located on the front of the engine and is driven by the crankshaft pulley. In this video, AutoMD shows how to replace your car’s alternator belt.

Do you have to loosen alternator to remove V-belt?

If you do have a V-belt, then you must loosen the alternator before you can remove the belt. It’s the alternator that provides the tension for the belt in these cases, not a separate tensioning part as with the serpentine belt. You want to ensure a nice snug fit.

What happens if you leave your alternator alone?

Your alternator supplies your car’s battery and auxiliary systems with electrical current, and a failed alternator left alone will eventually lead you with a dead battery, or a dead car on the side of the road. Keep reading to learn the signs of a damaged alternator and find out the general steps required for a DIY alternator replacement.

How to replace an alternator in a car?

Replacing Your Alternator 1 Pop your hood. 2 Disconnect the negative terminal of your vehicle’s battery. 3 Loosen the belt tensioner that is near the alternator. 4 Remove the serpentine belt. 5 Disconnect and remove any wiring harnesses or brackets attached to the alternator 6 Loosen connecting bolts and remove the alternator.

Can a bad alternator cause a dead battery?

A bad alternator can cause a dead battery and other problems with vehicle systems like the stereo and power windows. But there’s good news here, because even an automotive novice can watch a video or two and figure out how to change their own alternator.

What should be the deflection between the drive belt and alternator?

Vehicles with a manual tensioner or the belt tightens with the alternator, there should about ½ inch of deflection in the belt between the pulleys with the greatest distance between them. Once the alternator, drive belt, and electrical connections are reinstalled, scan the work area and make sure nothing has been overlooked.

What can I use to relieve tension on alternator belt?

Relieve tension on the belt with the auto-tensioner (if equipped). Some vehicles use the alternator itself to apply tension to the serpentine or accessory belt, but others use an auto tensioner pulley.

Do you need to remove serpentine belt to change alternator?

As you loosen the bolts, the alternator will slide in the bracket under the tension of the belt. You may not need to remove the serpentine or accessory belt if it’s not damaged.

How can I tell if my alternator has an auto tensioner?

You can tell if your vehicle uses an auto-tensioner by looking at the alternator mounting bracket: if the bolts can slide from side to side in the bracket, it does not have an auto-tensioner. You will need to slide the belt off the alternator pulley before you release the auto-tensioner.

As you loosen the bolts, the alternator will slide in the bracket under the tension of the belt. You may not need to remove the serpentine or accessory belt if it’s not damaged.

How does an alternator mount on an engine?

On older motors with individual accessory belts, the alternator mounting bracket is designed to allow the alternator to slide away from the belt to release tension after anchoring bolts are loosened. Shown here is an older engine with an alternator that can be loosened and slid within its bracket in order to adjust belt tension.

What kind of wrench do you use to change an alternator?

Some Basic Tools. When it comes to changing out your old alternator for a new one, you’re going to want a basic socket set with a ratcheting wrench instead of a set of crescent wrenches. Socket wrenches are much faster and easier to use, which usually results in a lot less knuckle banging and bolt stripping.

How to replace an alternator on a 1995 GMC?

Somewhere on your vehicle there is a tensioner pulley. You’ll need to move it enough to slip the belt off the pulley. Our ’95 GMC has a standard spring-loaded GM tensioner that required us to pull it back with a wrench.

Is it easy to remove an alternator from an engine?

Since the typical alternator is bolted directly to the outside of the engine block, removing and replacing one is relatively simple in terms of labor. If your engine is equipped with a serpentine accessory belt, you’ll just need to release the pressure on the belt tensioner and then remove the belt.

How does an alternator change from AC to DC?

This rotor piece spins within a coil assembly known as a ” stator “, which contains wound copper coils. As the brushes pass by those stator coils, an electrical charge builds up. That charge is then sent from the coils through a voltage regulator and rectifier that converts it from alternating current (AC) to evenly-flowing direct current (DC).