Alternator dies

[WRCVR4]

...... all the headlights and interior lights work perfectly, but theres no lights on the dash, clock or any action from the engine,

the car locks itself. I buzzed out,

I have the same 2 problems (dash lights happen on the odd ocasion - due to my bodgy wiring behind the dash )
Doors lock oftern when shuting/opening the door, im pretty sure its a broken wire somewhere there [ill fix both probs when they become a major issue LOL - DONT LEAVE KEYS IN CAR AND SHUT DOORS :evil: ]

edit: opps my enging works @ all times

 

[bazeng]

wow
thats alot of problems!!!

does it never end?
made my vr4 when it was running sound like a dream!!..

never had any issues..

 

[CLuTZ]

wow
thats alot of problems!!!

does it never end?
made my vr4 when it was running sound like a dream!!..

never had any issues..

yeah well its been sweet, until it was modified.

its doing my head in

 

[jase]

hmm that reminds me, my window's fucked

forgot about that.. thanks fellas hehe

(it's been a while since i've driven it)

 

[brettu26]

Reviving ancient thread - but same title as i was going to use

My alternator packed up Sat night, (luckily close to home) have towed it to auto elec this morning who says its a c*nt of a job to remove it, too much for him. the mechanic next door reckons couple hrs labour to remove bumper, i/cooler etc to get at it.

does that all seem legit?
I know the auto elec well, has done my stuff for me in the past and well

thoughts asap please guys
cheers Brett

 

[WRCVR4]

lol its a dream compared to my new car :|

 

[bazeng]

Do it yourself mate.

Pretty much, rad out, alternator out from underneath... not easy but you can save a bit of time this way...

 

[JayRome]

just take the power steering pump out and wedge it to the side....... and the top hot side cooler pipe....

 

[brettu26]

i dont really have the tools, time or space to do it unfortunately!

but thats two different ways to get it out thanks guys not that they will listen to me haha

 

[mattrat]

jays is spot on, ps pump off, ps pump bracket off, hotside pipe and it comes out nicely

 

[brettu26]

hmmm i am a bit of a beginner backyard mechanic really, is this something i can easily do?
no special tools? just a socket set?

i know i can remove the upper i/cooler pipe no worries lol

 

[nate108]

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/wayback/BradBauer/electrical/alt.html

 

[brettu26]

ahah! didnt know that was there, thanks

well in the meantime, i have had the auto elec charge the battery so i can drive it home & will pull it part tonight (hopefully haha)

thanks to above for your hep so far, lets see how i go getting it off & out! i think re-install is more scary

guess i should use a new belt too?

 

[blackvr]

Still not a 5 minute job.... Should try it Matt, and the rally VR4 craps an alternator during a rally and there is only a 20 minute service time allowed. Wouldnt call it my favourite job !! LOL

Mike

 

[doommachine]

Oh also.. if you have bigger than stock intercooler piping it will be a pain to get out. The first time I pulled it I removed the engine mount.. then I realised it could be done by pulling out the intercooler pipe, much easier.

Also, bosch make a 90amp replacement, if you search my threads for alternator you should find the part number. It was uh.. 280 from supercheap if I recall?

 

[Entaran]

Should be about $230 not $280. $280 might be retail.

Alternator removal is fairly simple, just please please remember to undo (and then retighten) the pivot bolt which is up behind the oil filter (you get at it from below the car).

Other tricks...
It's -way- easier to remove the intercooler pipe than the engine mount.
Try to remember to reconnect the tiny little black wire to where it's supposed to go
don't fully unbolt the tensioner unless you absolutely have to. It's a complete ass to put back in.

 

[brettu26]

ok so i took off the top intercooler pipe, but havent progressed to getting off the power steering pump. which bolt(s) do i remove? i have loosened the lefthand one that attaches it to bracket, but its held tight with belt still.

i've not removed belts before either, what to do please? i am concerned also about refitting the belts ect:unsure:

thanks again

 

[Entaran]

Ok... step by step just for you:

PS PUMP
---------

Hand rotate the pulley until the two holes in the pulley are approx 1 oclock and 7 oclock. You will see a bolt behind each hole that needs to be loosened, there is also ONE bolt on the left hand side, once that is done the PS pump should push up towards the rockercover. When retightening, use a prybar to force the PS pump downwards away from the head and then do up the bolts with your other hand starting with the ones inside the pulley.

ALT
----

Loosen tensioner off until the bolt pops up out of it
Undo pivot bolt underneath near oil filter housing (it's a bit of a prick to get to)
Undo 2 bolts on front
Disconnect wiring
Remove alternator, reverse process. PAY ATTENTION to the little black wire.

Also, the belts are a little bit of a mission to put on even when the tensioners are completely undone.

 

[brettu26]

champion! thanks heaps Lorrie - you're a gem lol

i think even i can figure that out, the belt will just ome off then i assume?

 

[Entaran]

If you're not reusing the belt, just use a pair of side cutters. It gets it out of your way while you're undoing shit. Also makes sure you don't reuse it if it's worn/ruined etc. I chop all my old belts so I don't reuse them, saves me thinking about which one the new one is.

Also, belt tensions are in your service manual I can't remember them off the top of my head.

prybar is pretty much the only way to get the PS belt to tension. it's a prick of a thing :/