How difficult is it to replace an alternator?

[RbSX]

Hey guys,

My alternator finally keeled over yesterday and has to be replaced, I'd like to avoid labor fees so if the process is semi-straight forward I'd prefer to do it myself..

Just how difficult is it to do? I drive an RSX.

 

[thomsbrain]

Depends on how easy it is to access. If you can get to it without removing stuff, they are really easy to replace. You loosen up a bolt and unplug the connection, and it comes right out. The replacement goes in the opposite way. The only remotely tricky part is making sure you get the belt tension right when you put the new one in, but even that is straight-forward.

When I changed one in an old Camry, it was a little more work because the replacement was exactly the same except it was missing a cut-out to accommodate a bit of metal that stuck out on the mount on the engine. I had to file off the metal, which was a bit nerve-wracking, but it worked perfectly once I got it in there.

 

[JDub02]

so if you are actually buying an alternator, does that qualify as bulk since it is alternator sized?

maybe I should ask this of ATOT.

 

[zoiks]

How old is your car? Shouldn't this be covered under warranty?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Varies. In my Grand Prix it took roughly 10 minutes from hood up to down. However if I had the DOHC V6 I'd have had to pull the engine. (not joking)

Just judging from these two pictures:
http://images.sportcompactcarw...civichybrid04_zoom.jpg
http://www.duke.edu/~ayl8/rsx/Engine/2.jpg

it looks pretty easy, the two bolts that hold it are facing forward, and you might have to remove some of the plastic cowling. At the very worst the radiator.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: zoiks
How old is your car? Shouldn't this be covered under warranty?

My car is an 02.. so no.

 

[klod]

Don't know what year you're looking for, but try this for repair guides. Or else get a Haynes manual for your car.

Edit: Here's the alternator replacement for 2001, hopefully yours is similar/same:

Text

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: klod
Don't know what year you're looking for, but try this for repair guides. Or else get a Haynes manual for your car.

Edit: Here's the alternator replacement for 2001, hopefully yours is similar/same:

Text

I got it, it appears I have to remove the timing belt amongst other things in order to get to the alternator, and I don't have all of the tools available unforuntately.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

From the pictures, it looks like just the serpentine belt. Not the timing belt. (huge difference)

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
From the pictures, it looks like just the serpentine belt. Not the timing belt. (huge difference)

Sorry, didn't notice the difference on the manual I was reading.

I it seems however, that I don't have all of the tools that the manual suggests to use hmmm..

 

[Kirby]

I think you can get money for your old alternator if you take to a autozone or similar.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
I think you can get money for your old alternator if you take to a autozone or similar.

When you buy a new one they have you bring in your old one for a core charge.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
From the pictures, it looks like just the serpentine belt. Not the timing belt. (huge difference)

Sorry, didn't notice the difference on the manual I was reading.

I it seems however, that I don't have all of the tools that the manual suggests to use hmmm..

Go to Sears and buy a Craftsman set of whatever you need. You'll still come out cheaper than having somebody else do it and you'll end up with tools for next time.

 

[OdiN]

Now that I think about it - what makes you think the alternator died?

Was it tested somewhere?

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: OdiN
Now that I think about it - what makes you think the alternator died?

Was it tested somewhere?

Actually, that's a good point. Have you at least hooked a multimeter to it to see how much voltage its putting out? You might just have a bad battery, which would be much easier to change.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Yeah, we thought our alternator in our Expedition was going out but turns out it was just the battery got a bad cell (didn't see it coming since the battery was only 9 months old).

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Yeah, we thought our alternator in our Expedition was going out but turns out it was just the battery got a bad cell (didn't see it coming since the battery was only 9 months old).

Because when I kick it up about 4k revs it starts charging again...

 

[LTC8K6]

If you can get to an Auto Zone or Advance Auto, they have a machine that will test your battery and charging system.