Has anyone here replaced an alt before?
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Yes, it's an Acura EL
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From: 416-905, Ontario, Canada
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Has anyone here replaced an alt before?
Hey guys, I may be gettin a new alt soon (prototype hi-output) and I wanna advance my DIY knowledge even more....has anyone here installed a replacement alternator in his/her car? If it turns out too hard I'll leave it to the pros of course, but I figger I've pried, unscrewed, unbolted, and auto-gooped just about every other part of my car, why not give it a go, right? I tried searching but of the 100 or so topics, none gave any details of how many fasteners and how many wires are on the alt and how to remove and replace....anyone?
btw it's a direct oem replacement, i think 130 to 160A...not too sure yet
btw it's a direct oem replacement, i think 130 to 160A...not too sure yet
Thread Starter
Yes, it's an Acura EL
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From: 416-905, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 368 Thanks, but what i meant is that the new alt will be between 130 and 160 - since it's a prototype it's being wound without too much of my input besides "here's the Honda engine code"...and I would be gettin it for free so I ain't arguing.
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 I actually have to do that tonight (fsked up my original one). Helm manual says that to take it out you have to take the power steering pump off (do not remove hoses), than you can take the alternator out. It appears that the hard part may be to put tension on the belts again, as they have a "tool" to measure tension. You can do it via the deflection method, just not as acurate I guess.
Anyhow, when you remove the nut on the alternator wire, there is a lock nut behind the lug on the wire - USE A WRENCH TO HOLD THAT NUT. I sheared off my stud because I could not see the locknut (its kind of recessed behind the lug). Tough to get to. I was messing with it because I replaced my stock alternator wire with a 4 gauge wire (PITA).
I ended up going to the junk yard to get a replacement (not bad only $85 for one with 900 miles on it). I want to put a high output one on, but I can't justifly the cost of about $250 for it from mralternator. Nor do I want a rewind from a local place.
Anyhow, when you remove the nut on the alternator wire, there is a lock nut behind the lug on the wire - USE A WRENCH TO HOLD THAT NUT. I sheared off my stud because I could not see the locknut (its kind of recessed behind the lug). Tough to get to. I was messing with it because I replaced my stock alternator wire with a 4 gauge wire (PITA).
I ended up going to the junk yard to get a replacement (not bad only $85 for one with 900 miles on it). I want to put a high output one on, but I can't justifly the cost of about $250 for it from mralternator. Nor do I want a rewind from a local place.
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 I actually just got done about an hour ago. Its REALLY simple! All you need to do is remove the bracket that holds the A/C line on the engine block. Take the bolts out of the power steering pump, remove the power steering pump and resevoir, unbolt the alternator and your done. There is plenty of room to work with.
New (replacement) alternator is installed, and puts out 14 volts at idle - worked like a charm! Now I just have to drive around to charge the battery up.....
New (replacement) alternator is installed, and puts out 14 volts at idle - worked like a charm! Now I just have to drive around to charge the battery up.....
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 It only took me about 1.5 hours to do. I didn't run into any problems (well one, since I upgraded the alternator wire I had to trim the little plastic insulator from the alternator). I didn't really have any issues with the belt - I just adjusted the tensor until I could feel that there was a few mm of deflection in the belt. So far no slipping, plust the car feels like it pulls harder (maybe due to the upgraded alternator wire). Who knows, but it does drive better.....
A descendant of 2k1civic.com
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Rep Power: 359 Umm . Pulls harder? I'm sure that's a mental thing. That or you took off some potential slack that was in your belts from wear so your response is a bit quicker. . I don't think the alternator will speed you up. . However, if it came with some stickers +50 whp.
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From: Zulu Alpha Tango Foxtrot
Rep Power: 311 Yes - it feels (from the butt dyno) like it pulls harder. Its not only from the alternator (newer, only 900 miles on it vs 22k miles), but also from the fact that I completely upgraded my charging / grounding system with 4 AWG cable. I admit that before changing the alternator wire out, I really didn't feel it. But afterwards....it def feels like there is a slight improvement.
Don't believe me if you don't want to, frankly I don't care...
Don't believe me if you don't want to, frankly I don't care...
Thread Starter
Yes, it's an Acura EL
iTrader: (23)
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,248
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From: 416-905, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 368 I replaced all my wiring with 2AWG some time ago to help with my headlight dimming issue. The dimming is reduced significantly, but I didn't feel much response if any, to tell you the truth.
Thanks for the input opto! I'll keep you guys posted when I do mine!
Thanks for the input opto! I'll keep you guys posted when I do mine!
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