So Fix it

An alternator provides power to your vehicle while charging your vehicles battery. The alternator turns via a belt that runs over the top of a drive pulley. When changing a bad alternator or installing under-drive pulleys, you will need to remove the pulley from the front of the alternator. A large nut located on the front of the pulley secures it to the alternator shaft. Loosening the alternator nut allows you to separate the drive pulley from the alternator.

Instructions

1

Spray penetrating oil on the alternator nut. Allow the penetrating oil to soak on the nut for two to three hours before continuing.

2

Put a heavy leather glove on your non-dominant hand.

3

Match an impact socket from a socket set to the nut located at the front of the alternator pulley. Attach the socket to an electric impact wrench.

4

Hold the alternator shaft directly behind the pulley with your gloved hand. Slide the socket attached to the impact wrench onto the alternator nut. Set the direction of the impact wrench to counterclockwise.

5

Pull the trigger of the impact wrench as you apply pressure to the alternator shaft with your hand. Continue until the nut breaks loose of the pulley.

An automotive alternator generates electrical power to run the engine and charge the battery. An alternator that is putting out a reduced charge will eventually cause the engine to stall and not properly charge the battery, which can cause starting problems.

Normal Output

An alternator should put out between 13.5 and 15 volts of power. The alternator should be tested with the engine idling and electrical accessories, such as the radio and headlights, turned off. A reduced output may be a sign that the alternator is failing, but the drive belt and wiring should be inspected before replacing the alternator.

Belt Problems

A stretched or slipping alternator drive belt may cause the alternator to not produce a full charge. The belt should be inspected to assure it is properly tensioned and not damaged. A drive belt should be soft and pliable. Belts that show cracks, uneven wear or have a glazed appearance should be replaced.

Wiring Problems

The wiring and connections attached to the alternator should be examined for looseness, corrosion or other damage. Corroded battery terminals and cables are a common problem on many vehicles, and this corrosion may cause a discharge of voltage and should be repaired.

In a correctly functioning vehicle, the battery provides temporary power to start the engine and run accessories like the lights and radio when the engine is switched off. The alternator, on the other hand, provides electricity to power all of the cars functions while the engine is running and also recharges the battery. If the alternator fails the battery will die, since it is not getting recharged. The only permanent solution to this problem is to get a new alternator but you can recharge the battery in the mean time.

Instructions

1

Jump start your car. If your battery is dead, you can provide a temporary charge to the battery using jumper cables. Connect the cables to a running vehicle and then to your battery. Leave the cables attached for several minutes and have the driver of the working vehicle press down on the accelerator while their vehicle is in park. This will provide a surge of electricity to your battery. Start your car and disconnect the cables.

2

Connect your battery to a portable car battery charger. Make sure the charger is fully charged then attach the red clip to the positive terminal of your battery and the black clip to the negative terminal. The amount of time it will take for the battery to fully recharge will vary depending on the strength of your charger. A ten amp charger will usually take 45 minutes to recharge. Consult your chargers manual for specific recharge times.

3

Connect your battery to a wall charger. If you do not have a portable charger you can connect it to a charger that plugs into an outlet. You can use an extension chord if it is not raining to charge your battery while it is still in the car or remove the battery. Pull the battery out and take it to where your charger is. Make sure it is sitting on a level surface while it charges. Connect the black clamp to the negative terminal and the red clamp to the positive terminal. The LED light on the charger will turn green when the battery is fully charged.

4

Make your own trickle charger. If you do not have a wall charger you can make a trickle charger using a 12V appliance or cell phone charging chord. Simply cut off the connector on the end then seperate the two wires that make up the cable and pull them apart. Strip the ends of the wires. Use a multimeter to determine which wire has the negative charge. Attach a black alligator clip to it. Attach a red alligator clip to the other wire. Clamp the clips onto the battery and plug it it. A 12V charger will take about 12 hours to recharge a dead battery.