I have a 1989 5 speed whose alternator has passed (let us bow our heads..) at least this is what the meter says (going to the shop perhaps tomorrow). Can anyone give me an idea how difficult it is to replace the alternator? It looks pretty tight in there.... I'm handy with tools, but my time is precious of late...

Thanks,

chg

<STILL> waiting to contribute to the hardware fund to restore the search feature...

 

if you can change a battery and do an oil change..this shouldn't be that much more difficult.


pull the lower splash shield and the alternator is calling your name.

don't forget to pull the battery cable b4 u start.

 

yeah,
shoudn't take you more than an hour to change the alternator.

 

not too hard, but mine was a pain to get back on though because it's a real tight fit (not sure if your VG will be different)

check out the posts at the top of this forum. There is a write up on how to replace the alternator on http://members.csinet.net/tisch/maxima/

 

VG motors are great for working on. The alternator and starter are right there. No reaching into small voids, trying to fit tools. They stuck both of them right at the bottom front of the motor. Take off the bottom sheild like Dany said, and you'll have made the job so much easier.

Better than a starter on a 4th gen. I had to become some contortionist just to tap the starter. There was so much stuff over that thing.

 

bahahaa Now *there's* an interesting range of replies ...

It's in the shop now for diagnostics. We'll see what kind of silly quote comes back. I have no problem paying the shop rate for repairs, but I object to paying $300 for an alternator that has a 6 month warranty when AutoZone will sell me one for $60 - LLT. I know, it's rebuilt, but, hey, my car has 150K on it...

 

On my '91 it was really easy. Its right there on the bottom. Don't remember any thing that was blocking besides the splash shield.

I have an Autozone alternator in mine and its been holding up fine. Plus it has a lifetime warranty. But I dont know where you can get it for $60. The price of the alternator is $110 and the Core is $65.

 

the alternator placement on 89-94 VG maximas is the same. so imo some people find it much harder to replace than opthers.
essentially,
the alternator placement isn't much different on 2nd gens, ve 3rd gens or 4th gens. they're all rather easy to work on once you get used to them.

 

WTF are you smoking? You CAN'T be talking about a Maxima.

http://www.mattblehm.com/pics/car/cr...r/IM000108.JPG
http://www.mattblehm.com/pics/car/cr...r/IM001096.JPG

The alternator can't be much more easy to get to than that!
Last time I pulled mine, I changed it in about 15 minutes. you need a ratchet with a 12mm socket on it, and a 12mm wrench.
a 10mm or a #3 phillips is required to remove the splash shields, and you'll need an 8mm to remove the ground screw on the back of the alternator case.

no nasty clearances, no multiple belt removal, none of that crap..

last time mine died on me, I drove the car to the alternator shop, crawled under the car, pulled the thing out, had the shop replace the brushes in it, then I had it back in the car and was leaving less than 30 minutes after I drove in there.

 

Matt - are these pictures from a 3rg gen?

 

yeah.. they're from my 93 SE. same car, different engine than yours. alternator is in the exact same place though.

 

Grrr.. this shop I trust, but sometimes I wonder what the shops are smoking.
If in fact this is a 30 minute job, why should I pay $330+tax for it?

The quote I just received was $208 for an alternator with a 2 year warranty, plus $140 labor. I guess I'm buying a warranty? I'm sure that it all runs together, but I realyl wish I would be charged a fair price for a simple repair. I'll pay the big $$ for the complex stuff, but don't think I'm stupid....

Jeesh...

 

Bring it up to Duluth, I'll do it for $40 labor and you buy the alternator from Pepboys or wherever. You'll have to pay the core but you'll get it back after the old alternator is off. Or for $50, I'll come down to you (assuming you're somewhere near downtown).
PM me if you're interested. I've done my own alternator recently, as well as UDP, clutch, axles, brakes, suspension, etc in the past so I know what I'm doing.

 

The engine didn't change from 89 to 93 (the vg version). I've never heard of the alternator being in a different spot and all the service manuals I've seen put it in the same spot. I think you're getting mixed up with a different car. I dont know why you'd put an alternator in the middle of everything since it has to be near the crank pulley which is on the end of an engine.

 

Oh, crap i am so sorry i was thinking of the ac compressor sorry for the confusion guys. I just thought of it. Your right, i wish i had my car right now to take a look but im having the tranny rebuilt.

 

Umm ac compressor is also in the same place in all 3-gens. Even EASIER to unbolt too.

 

ok im looking at the diagram right now and it is definitely in the middle. I wasn't saying that it was in a different spot but i know that it is not as easy as the alternator.

 

Um, legally blind? The AC compressor hangs off the front end of the engine right ABOVE the alternator.

 

the AC compressor is just as easy. I've got a zillion pics.. want to be again?

 

Ok whatever it's not important anymore i was wrong and you were right. After all it's just an alternater.

 

Sounds like the basics of a ford to me.

 

someone is going to get again.

 

I never had to take off the splash guard, but thats also why I had to replace my alternator...damn puddles

 

Other than forgetting the alternator belt , removing the splash guard reveals an alternator in all it's glory. Call it a 1 hour job max (assuming your children have not run off with your 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm sockets

So, $65 later, I have a rebuilt LLT alternator, a happy Maxima, and time to go write some code. Thanks for the pointers.

oh, I have a Ford as well (big van)... shudder

 

YOU SUCK

 

In those instructions, where is the air conditioning tensioner bolt? Just shows a pic of a wratchet reaching down into the engine.

 

Look for it in that area. it's not hard to find.

and if your belts are in good condition, you don't even need to pull the AC belt off.. just loosen the alternator belt until you can slip it off and replace the alternator.

 

If you don't have even a cheapo service manual, I HIGHLY suggest getting one. This question + the KS question + your service schedule = get a manual.

You should be able to stare at your engine for about 5-10 min an figure out where the tensioner is.

 

I just got mine replaced a few days ago... dropped by my mechanic to check if the battery light that went on was due to the battery being low or my alternator dying. Turns out it was the later.

Well, ~45 mins & $160 later (incl. cost of alt), I had a rebuilt one installed & I was on my merry way.

 

I too had to replace my alternator on the weekend. Got a rebuilt one from Murray's discount auto stores ($89, and it was Bosch). The problem on my car was that the charge light never came on (No, the bulb is not burnt out). Does anyone know why this would happen?

 

sometimes they don't... certain parts in it can fail that will cause the light not to come on. it's strange.