How hard to replace an alternator?
#1
How hard to replace an alternator?
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...
Thanks,
chg
<STILL> waiting to contribute to the hardware fund to restore the search feature...
![Smilie](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Blah blah](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/blahblah.gif)
#2
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.
pull the lower splash shield and the alternator is calling your name.
don't forget to pull the battery cable b4 u start.
#4
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/
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/
#5
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.
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.
#6
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...
![Smilie](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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...
#7
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.
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.
#8
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.
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.
#9
Originally Posted by zoltan
actually its a pain in the ***. In the 89 maxima the alternator is right in the middle of everything in the damn engine. it will probably take more like 3 hours but you can do it yourself. You might also want to remove all the belts beforehand and it is almost impossible to remove it from the top so you have to go underneath your car. it's gonna be a tight fit to get to the alternator, but it goes along alot faster with two people. My father and me replaced mine together and it took us about two hours.
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.
#12
Look's like I'm doing alternator work tomorrow...
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 $$ for the complex stuff, but don't think I'm stupid....
Jeesh...
![BangHead](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif)
If in fact this is a 30 minute job, why should I pay $330+tax for it?
The quote I just received was $208 for an alternator with a 2 year warranty, plus $140 labor. I guess I'm buying a warranty? I'm sure that it all runs together, but I realyl wish I would be charged a fair price for a simple repair. I'll pay the big $$ for the complex stuff, but don't think I'm stupid....
Jeesh...
#13
Originally Posted by gilley
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 $$ for the complex stuff, but don't think I'm stupid....
Jeesh...
![BangHead](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif)
If in fact this is a 30 minute job, why should I pay $330+tax for it?
The quote I just received was $208 for an alternator with a 2 year warranty, plus $140 labor. I guess I'm buying a warranty? I'm sure that it all runs together, but I realyl wish I would be charged a fair price for a simple repair. I'll pay the big $$ for the complex stuff, but don't think I'm stupid....
Jeesh...
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.
#14
Originally Posted by zoltan
Gilley trust me it is not the same from the 89 to the 93. in the 89 the alternator is right in the middle of everything. it's accessible, but it's a b!@+h.
#16
Umm ac compressor is also in the same place in all 3-gens. Even EASIER to unbolt too.
![leap frog](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/leapfrog.gif)
Originally Posted by zoltan
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.
#21
Originally Posted by «§»Craig B«§»
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.
#24
All done...
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
![Frown](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
![Tard](https://maxima.org/forums/images/smilies/tard.gif)
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
#27
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.
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.
#28
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.
You should be able to stare at your engine for about 5-10 min an figure out where the tensioner is.
Originally Posted by ArcticDC5
In those instructions, where is the air conditioning tensioner bolt? Just shows a pic of a wratchet reaching down into the engine.
#29
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.
Well, ~45 mins & $160 later (incl. cost of alt), I had a rebuilt one installed & I was on my merry way.
#30
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?
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JMag90
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
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08-25-2015 09:17 AM