Removing the Alternator

[stag36587]

Hi guys

Well tomorrow morning's job is to replace what I believe is a faulty alternator - ignition light permanently on, voltage at 11-12 volts, etc.

Please can I have views about best way to remove the alternator, i.e. from above or below?

Reason is that one of my shoulders likes to pop out of its socket at regular intervals so I just want to minimise risk of yet another trip to Kettering general!

Thanks

[DJT]

The easiest method is as follows:

Remove windscreen washer bottle.
Place thick cloth or blanket over suspension turret and cam shaft cover.
Undo three bolts holding power steering pump to RH head.
Lay power steering pump on cloth/blanket.
Remove alternator from above.
Reverse the above after fitting new alternator.

The whole job shouldn't take more than 20-25 minutes.

[stag36587]

Fabulous DJT, thanks very much

[Stagsongas]

Mostly I tend to disconnect the Battery, get the Alt. off its mountings and then disconnect the wire terminals. It's often much easier to get at them then.

I showed Mrs. Stagsongas the manoevure for putting my shoulders back in as it saves a lot of time. Rugby was good fun but it takes its toll.

Regards

Steve

[stag36587]

Well it took a bit longer than 20-25 mins. Main problem was the lack of clearance. In the end I had to remove the power steering pump completely because there wasn't enough flex with the steering hoses. It was very tight indeed getting the alternator out. I also found it impossible to fit the electrical connectors back once the new alternator had been fitted so it had to come out again - you live and learn!

All seems fine now though - ignition light out and voltmeter showing a healthy 13.5-14 volts. Strangely the new alternator was missing the small earth terminal that the original had so I will need to find somewhere for the redundant black wire to fit to.

Happily my shoulder still firmly attached to its socket - famous last words.

[Stagsongas]

I also found it impossible to fit the electrical connectors back once the new alternator had been fitted so it had to come out again - you live and learn!

Happily my shoulder still firmly attached to its socket - famous last words.

Pity my advice above wasn't heeded.

Pleased to hear the shoulder stayed put.

Regards

Steve

[stag36587]

Your advice was heeded when removing the old alternator, Steve, just forgot when I fitted the new one. Doh

[Stagsongas]

Ah well, we got it half right

[stag36587]

So I'm confused, the new alternator doesn't have an earth terminal like the old one, hence a spare earth lead from the wiring loom that I need to fix somewhere.

Yesterday I was cleaning the engine bay and this earth lead accidentally touched the alternator casing and sparked violently which surprised me - to say the least. Why would that have been? Especially as the ignition was off.

Alternator is working perfectly and charging the car nicely.

Thanks

[Stagsongas]

I'd put a meter up to it to see if it's live - It may have a 12V supply although it looked like an earth lead, and if so, earthing it out on the body of the alt. would be what made the fireworks.

Good Luck

Steve

[KOY 23]

Are you thinking that a brown wire is an earth like on a modern? Wrong, it's an unfused live on a Stag. If it's a thin wire it's the battery sense wire which can be taped up if your new alternator does not have a connection.

[stag36587]

Thanks Steve and Koy,

The redundant wire had it's own terminal connection on the old alternator and looking online at various posts it is definitely a battery sense wire so I will tape it up out of the way. Many thanks for your help.