suddste Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hello, I think my alternators slowly dying, had a battery warning light on the dash when i was entering a roundabout today. When I got home and turned all electrical things on to test, I had a voltage of about 10.5V. THe heated front screen seems to take the most power and with this the headlights are dim My question is: On changing the alternator, you have to remove the drive belt, but do you have to take it completly off of everything (like the AC compressor) or can you just unhook the belt from the alternator by hand then put the belt on the new alt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 you dont need to remove the belt completely, chances are though it will fall off the pulleys so make note of how it routes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 you dont need to remove the belt completely, chances are though it will fall off the pulleys so make note of how it routes thanks and im just a bit worried about having to jack the car up and remove the front tyre for the alternator replacement. do I have to do any of this to replace the alternator? If I do, I just wont be confident in doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 thanks and im just a bit worried about having to jack the car up and remove the front tyre for the alternator replacement. do I have to do any of this to replace the alternator? If I do, I just wont be confident in doing it no you should be able to do it all from above. there are 3 bolts holding the alternator IIRC. the top 2 with the torx ends are what tension the belt, slacken all 3 but remove the top 2 and the alternator will pull forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 Excellent, I will be very happy if I manage to do it myself..The only thing im worried about is if I mess the belt up because the power steering is powered via this also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Excellent, I will be very happy if I manage to do it myself..The only thing im worried about is if I mess the belt up because the power steering is powered via this also make a quick sketch of how the belt is routed just in case it comes off. disconnect the battery first, you dont want to short out the positive terminal to earth with a spanner!! its quite an easy job actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 make a quick sketch of how the belt is routed just in case it comes off. disconnect the battery first, you dont want to short out the positive terminal to earth with a spanner!! its quite an easy job actually. Do you know what tools I require? I know it's torx but not really sure what sort of torx i'm looking for here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Do you know what tools I require? I know it's torx but not really sure what sort of torx i'm looking for here basic spanners and sockets. its a female torx socket or spanner you will need but i cant remember the size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 basic spanners and sockets. its a female torx socket or spanner you will need but i cant remember the size thanks. so just take out the top two bolts with a spanner, then loosen the bootom bolt, then push sideways to the left? AM I correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 thanks. so just take out the top two bolts with a spanner, then loosen the bootom bolt, then push sideways to the left? AM I correct? pull the alternator forward, this will release the tension on the belt. then remove the bottom bolt. remove the electrical connectors first though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 pull the alternator forward, this will release the tension on the belt. then remove the bottom bolt. remove the electrical connectors first though thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hello, Just had a look at how I could remove the alternator... Are you sure it can be done as you said? It doesnt seem possible to me and I dont think the tension on the belt can be slackend by loosening the screws, it's a mk1.5 1.6L Zetec-SE with air conditioning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hello, Just had a look at how I could remove the alternator... Are you sure it can be done as you said? It doesnt seem possible to me and I dont think the tension on the belt can be slackend by loosening the screws, it's a mk1.5 1.6L Zetec-SE with air conditioning Can you post a picture up? Mine was also a 1.6 Zetec SE. the alternator pivots on the lower bolt, the top to pull the alternator in and this also pulls the belt tight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Can you post a picture up? Mine was also a 1.6 Zetec SE. the alternator pivots on the lower bolt, the top to pull the alternator in and this also pulls the belt tight sure, here it is: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 any ideas? Its the same as what mine was. remove the hex head bolt, loosen the bolt at the bottom and then use the stud to release the tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 ok, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 26, 2012 Author Share Posted May 26, 2012 Its the same as what mine was. remove the hex head bolt, loosen the bolt at the bottom and then use the stud to release the tension. sorry I have to ask another question. Can you just use a spanner to loosen or do you need torx also (for all screws)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted May 28, 2012 Share Posted May 28, 2012 sorry I have to ask another question. Can you just use a spanner to loosen or do you need torx also (for all screws)? you only need torx to turn the stud, apart from that its hex spanners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted May 28, 2012 Author Share Posted May 28, 2012 you only need torx to turn the stud, apart from that its hex spanners ok so I definatly need torx to complete the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 Just tried to turn the nut at the top. It's rock solid I cant get it to turn. Any ideas on how to get it loose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy 1965 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Spray it with WD-40. Leave it for 24 hours and try again. Do not attempt to loosen it with the wrong size of spanner/ bit. If it is still stuck, apply heat by means of a blow lamp and try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suddste Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 Spray it with WD-40. Leave it for 24 hours and try again. Do not attempt to loosen it with the wrong size of spanner/ bit. If it is still stuck, apply heat by means of a blow lamp and try again. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef123 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 try a longer ratchet or spanner. if you dont have any try doing the trick where you join 2 combi spanners together.. ring end on the bolt, and put the ring end of another spanner on the open end. gives you twice as much leverage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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