How many bolts does it take to remove an alternator?

How many bolts does it take to remove an alternator?

Loosen the bolts on the alternator if there is no auto-tensioner. In cars without an auto-tensioner pulley, you can relieve the tension on the belt simply by loosening the two bolts that secure the alternator to the engine. These will often require a 14mm or 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) socket, though you may need to try others.

What causes alternator to drop voltage?

Poor ground connections are an often-overlooked cause of low charging output and alternator failure. Voltage drops on the positive side of the charging circuit can cause undercharging. Voltage drops on the negative side can cause overcharging.

How do you know if you blew your alternator?

Low Headlights The alternator is what provides the power to your headlights as you’re driving, so dim lighting or flickering lighting could be an indication of a failing alternator. To avoid losing headlight power be sure to head to the auto repair mechanic right away.

Can a bad alternator cause voltage drop?

Voltage Drop as a Diagnostic Tool. Excessive charging-system circuit voltage drop is often overlooked. However, it’s often the cause of low charging voltages or poor electrical systems performance. This is often due to corroded or poor connections at the battery or alternator.

Is replacing an alternator easy?

Replacing an alternator can cost you several hundred bucks at the local repair shop, but it’s one of the simplest repairs you can do at home. With a few tools and about an hour you can swap it out yourself — and keep your dough in your pocket where it belongs.

How many volts should an alternator put out?

A good alternator should put out between **13.5-14.5 volts. Stress test the alternator – Place a load on the alternator by turning on the headlights, the radio and the air conditioning. The voltage should remain high with these circuits on.

Is 15 volts too high for alternator?

To answer your question, yes, 15 volts is too high. Most car alternators that charge your battery after every start and provide power while the engine is running are usually regulated to between 13 and 14.0 volts.

What causes low voltage on an alternator battery?

Check for voltage drops at the positive and negative battery cable connections, the alternator BAT+ power connection and the engine ground strap(s). Poor ground connections are an often-overlooked cause of low charging output and alternator failure.

Where to put black lead on bad alternator?

Place the black lead on the bad post of the alternator. Same thing as above, if the voltage is above 0.5v then examine the positive cabling for problems. Highly active question.

What to do if your alternator has bad ground?

Place the red lead on the positive battery terminal (if possible dig it into the battery post, not the terminal). Place the black lead on the bad post of the alternator. Same thing as above, if the voltage is above 0.5v then examine the positive cabling for problems.

What happens when you replace an alternator in a car?

If the wires and connectors are not checked, you may replace the alternator only to discover the new unit you just installed is “no good.” Now you get to replace it again and, on some vehicles where the ­alternator is buried under a lot of other stuff, that can result in a lot of lost time and labor.

What to do if your alternator has low voltage?

Put the black multimeter probe on the negative battery terminal (if possible dig it into the battery post, not the terminal). Put the red probe on the alternator case. Your looking for the voltage to be below about 0.5v. If the voltage is higher than that examine all the negative cabling for problems. Preform the same test with the positive side.

Where do you put the red lead on an alternator?

Place the red lead on the positive battery terminal (if possible dig it into the battery post, not the terminal). Place the black lead on the bad post of the alternator. Same thing as above, if the voltage is above 0.5v then examine the positive cabling for problems. Highly active question. Earn 10 reputation in order to answer this question.

How can I tell if my alternator is bad?

If the voltage is higher than that examine all the negative cabling for problems. Preform the same test with the positive side. Place the red lead on the positive battery terminal (if possible dig it into the battery post, not the terminal). Place the black lead on the bad post of the alternator.

What should I do if I drop a bolt?

Rob Siegel And that brings us to the third option: Fish out the errant item. If the bolt you dropped will stick to a magnet—meaning it’s metal that’s not stainless steel, aluminum, or brass—one of a variety of magnetic wands should help you retrieve it.