Can I replace the alternator myself?
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Le Mans Master
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From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08
Can I replace the alternator myself?
Can I replace the alternator myself or should I just bring it to to dealer? Its that whistling sound again coming from it and boy it sure is annoying.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (JeffsVette)
If you have a few basic (metric) hand tools I don't see why not. One thing's for sure, it's pretty easy to get to. Be prepared for severe sticker shock if you're going to buy a new one though. You can however save on the labor by doing the swap yourself. I'm not sure if Delco is offering them as a remanufactured item through the aftermarket yet or not. If they are, I would recommend going with a Delco remanufactured unit instead of some "brand X" rebuilder. Definitely less expensive than new! :D
BTW, don't forget to disconnect the battery before starting and be prepared to put your radio code back in so your radio will work when your through.
Robert
[Modified by Tx99FRC, 7:19 PM 6/21/2002]
BTW, don't forget to disconnect the battery before starting and be prepared to put your radio code back in so your radio will work when your through.
Robert
[Modified by Tx99FRC, 7:19 PM 6/21/2002]
Melting Slicks
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From: Taylor TX
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Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (JeffsVette)
Tx99FRC is right on, it's an easy job.
15mm socket to release the serpentine belt tensioner, two bolts hold the alternator on. You may need to tap the alternator a bit to get it out of the bracket. The brass bushings are kinda wedged in there. They couldn't have made it easier!
15mm socket to release the serpentine belt tensioner, two bolts hold the alternator on. You may need to tap the alternator a bit to get it out of the bracket. The brass bushings are kinda wedged in there. They couldn't have made it easier!
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (lotzahp)
Lotzahp:
Can you give him any feedback on pricing, etc?
Can you give him any feedback on pricing, etc?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08
Thanks all
Thanks for the directions and advice, very much appreciated. I'll probably end up doing it now. Just got to check the prices up on them now. The only problem is probably fooling with that radio...
again thanks
again thanks
Melting Slicks
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From: Taylor TX
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Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (Tx99FRC)
no, I haven't actually priced an OEM one. But I do believe they are over $500 from the dealer! :eek:
It sounds like the problem is not the electrical portion, but the bearing/pulley components if the whistle is the only issue. A rewind shop may be able to rebuild it for a lot less $.
It sounds like the problem is not the electrical portion, but the bearing/pulley components if the whistle is the only issue. A rewind shop may be able to rebuild it for a lot less $.
Pro
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From: Dearborn mi.
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (JeffsVette)
Do it your self. However if it works, why replace it. An alternator will hum when its working. A squeal may be a lose belt or a bad bearing. Look at your volt meter and if its the range of 13.6 to 14.4 it is working correctly. If not, I sell the best you can buy. Just get in touch. :)
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (JeffsVette)
I have a high-pitched whine from my alternator, and my reputable Vette dealer said "some are noiser than others. I wouldn't worry about it." As soon as I get my Borla Stingers, I won't. :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (JeffsVette)
Well I looked at the alternator with the stethescope and nothing really (actually i could not really find out the exact part it was coming from). However since I knew it started to make that whistling/chirping sound after the dealer repalced the alternator belt and the "tensioner." I think this shiny piece in this picture I have is making the sound (could is be the tensioner?) which could be rubbing together.
Suggestions greatly appreciated since I feel like bringing it to the dealer.
Suggestions greatly appreciated since I feel like bringing it to the dealer.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (see5)
I think I am going to repost what I just last said in this topic. I have narrowed it down to the tensioner. I am wondering if this is possibility? (it only has been squeeking since the dealer replaced the tensioner).
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Le Mans Master
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From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (chuckster)
hah...It was not me it was the dealer (and yes its always the dealer :cuss ) and I'll clean it as soon as I get that darn chirping sound out.
Racer
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From: Phoenix az
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (JeffsVette)
Which year is your car. The alternator was redesigned for 2000 with a clutch pulley to help eliminate vibration and noises. If it's 99 or earlier the new belt and tensioner will not do the job. Believe me, They did that fix three times on my old 99. Once they put in an alternator from a 2000, the problems went away.
Bob
Bob
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Le Mans Master
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From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (azarby)
98. One rep (not the technician) said it was but the technician said you might need to tighten some stuff up. It does not seem like it is coming from the altenator now.
1999 Artic White Coupe said there was a TSB #99-06-01-007, "Technical - Accessory Drive Squeak (Replace Idler Pulley)". Which seems like it because the as soon as they replaced the tensioner it started to happen (coincidence?...I hope not because I dont have much money to buy a brand new alternator) which can also explain the sudden dust all over my engine.
1999 Artic White Coupe said there was a TSB #99-06-01-007, "Technical - Accessory Drive Squeak (Replace Idler Pulley)". Which seems like it because the as soon as they replaced the tensioner it started to happen (coincidence?...I hope not because I dont have much money to buy a brand new alternator) which can also explain the sudden dust all over my engine.
Melting Slicks
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From: Taylor TX
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Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (JeffsVette)
under hood chriping could be a lot of things - I chased a chirp/squeal for a couple months.
Drip some water on the belt running surface with motor running, and if the chirp goes away then it's the belt or the pulley surfaces (crank, alternator, idler, tensioner). If the sound DOES NOT go away, then it's something else.
I replaced my original belt with a new OEM belt, and it chirped just like the first one. The ultimate fix for me was a Goodyear Gatorback belt :yesnod:
Other things it could be:
1) dirty pulley surfaces (remove belt and scrub all surfaces with alcohol and wire brush)
2) misaligned crank pulley ('BStewart' had this problem)
3) bad idler pulley (part of TSB, possibly deformed dust shield)
One last note, all that extra 'dust' - is it recent? It looks like the belt is being schredded! Which means improper belt alignment or a bad tensioner.
Good luck man!
Drip some water on the belt running surface with motor running, and if the chirp goes away then it's the belt or the pulley surfaces (crank, alternator, idler, tensioner). If the sound DOES NOT go away, then it's something else.
I replaced my original belt with a new OEM belt, and it chirped just like the first one. The ultimate fix for me was a Goodyear Gatorback belt :yesnod:
Other things it could be:
1) dirty pulley surfaces (remove belt and scrub all surfaces with alcohol and wire brush)
2) misaligned crank pulley ('BStewart' had this problem)
3) bad idler pulley (part of TSB, possibly deformed dust shield)
One last note, all that extra 'dust' - is it recent? It looks like the belt is being schredded! Which means improper belt alignment or a bad tensioner.
Good luck man!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08
Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (lotzahp)
One more question before I go in, and thanks for sticking with me on this one. Would the alternator make these chirping sounds at idle?
Melting Slicks
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From: Taylor TX
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Re: Can I replace the alternator myself? (JeffsVette)
One more question before I go in, and thanks for sticking with me on this one. Would the alternator make these chirping sounds at idle?
The best thing to start with is like I posted above, drip the water - then start cleaning pulley surfaces.