Soon going on a holiday, so decided to stretch a bit my babies legs!! Soon after engine start I realized that alternator light was very very dim, which eventually extinguished. Upon start up to retuen home light remained brightly lit. Passed by an auto electrician and instructed me to remove alternator and pass it on to him. He's joking right??? Difficult task isn't it. Tried to remove it but only managed to remove three mount bolts. Top bolt is exactly behind a/c compressor belt. Just had a/c system refilled. Guess have to take compressor out too prior able to reach alternator. I hope guy who placed alternator at such an ackward location isn't listening to my not so polite phrases comining out of my mouth!!! Any easy way?? Thanks
No easy way, I'm affraid ... I had to remove the A/C to get the alternator out and to have some "decent" space to work. Can't remember if I had to remove the coolant pipe, too ... You have to disconnect the cables on the back. Here's a picture of what you'll find, hope it helps Image Unavailable, Please Login
Easy...well, not super easy. Put the car on a lift and remove her from the bottom side. A few bolts...and you're done. I can't recall ever having any significant difficulty getting the alternator out. Removing it from the top...that's another story. Best, David
I was just replacing the alternator belt on my '86. Now, my AC compressor is not in the car, so it was a piece of cake. But you should be able to drop the alternator out by simply removing the tensioner bolt and the pivot bolt that the alternator is mounted on. You should not have to remove the entire tensioner bracket (just loosen the bolt and swivel it, if needed). You should be able to snake it out from the bottom. Otherwise, if you have to move the AC, just remove the brackets and swing the whole compressor unit out of the way. You shouldn't have to move it much to lift the alternator out to the side. Lift it a bit and you should get enough clearance. Helps if you have someone helping with that. Just watch your fingers when moving the AC unit around -- it is heavy. Ask me how I learned that lesson.
On my 328 it is impossible to remove it from the bottom. I think that can be seen in the picture. It had to come out from the wheel well David[/QUOTE]
Tomorrow a friend of mine who is a great mechanic will come and sort my problems. I thank you all for your help through past experiances. IMHO, the alternator only way out is up, however it's from a pilots point of view and not a mechanic. Will keep you posted. Stephen
Alternator is out. Took an hour and a half to remove. On Monday will take it to auto electriction and see his verdict.
Well, had to move a'c compressor, loosen the water piping, remove both alternator and compressor mountings and the job was done. Found a small rat nest in the alternator when we removed the wiring cover to remove the leads. Alternator looks in very good shape, whith bearings really quite, now we see the condition of Brushes and rectifier. Thanks for all help guys. Hope fully be back in business next week. Stephen
Alternator fixed and back in place. Up and running, changed belts whilst at it. Been a pain and hard work for my friend, I held the flash light and made tea. Stephen Grech
