CaptSquid wrote:I would have soldered the wires as well as use the shrink tubing. Very nice job, though.

I would've too, but I was halfway into the job when I realized my soldering iron was at work, oh well, I made sure the connections were as good as you could get otherwise

Well done! I gotta ask...why did it take you so long to put this write-up out here? I mean these pics were taken last summer...look at the green grass and bare hands. :muhaha: I did the swap couple of months ago? But the very last pic is from today, no joke! Didn't you know I'm in California? It wa...

This procedure is for 1999 Astro I prefer the composite style grill & headlights so here is the way I went about wiring it in here is a before shot: http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3241/frontsc.jpg and after: http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6374/dsc01065e.jpg First get all the pieces you n...

Looking at possibly getting an alternator from this place: http://store.alternatorparts.com/ad244-series-standard-duty-140-amp-alternator.aspx anybody have any experience with their products? I figured I'd go with a 140amp since my radio clock dims a little when I have music loud, stock radio with a...

For major electrical components, I prefer to buy new if my wallet permits it, replacing the alternator is something I don't want to have to do again for as long as possible. Now if this was my only vehicle I probably would have had to go that route, because I'm pretty broke right now

Had the alternator tested at a shop and results came back as charging system malfunction, excess ripple detected. I think that translates to bad stator or diodes, also with some google research on that diagnosis, it said to check alternator bracket and belts, which I did and threw on a new tensioner...

Ok so I just figured out by reading more of the manual that to tell the difference between the 2 types of alternators is that the SI type uses bolts to fasten the two halves of the alternator together, and the CS type uses rivets to fasten the two halves together, I have confirmed that I have the SI...

My manual lists 2 types of alternators used in the Astro, an SI type with grounding tab hole, and newer CS type with no grounding tab hole. Anybody know placement of the grounding tab hole? It's not in the spot that the Chilton manual drawing shows, I did find a small through hole with what appears ...

Thank you Chemist, an A+ on the writeup! It makes it so much easier to do everything knowing what the nut sizes are, only took about 1/2hr, taking my time for seat & doghouse removal

That would be just too easy if it was just the tensioner, I hope it's the culprit seeing as the alternator only has 40k on it, the van is new to me but I'm assuming it sat around a bit for the past 11yrs, I've been driving it nonstop until now since I acquired it, and other than this issue it drives...

I definitely will do the ground tab test, just read that in chilton's, they stated 15 or higher. Looks like I will be parking it until I can fix the issue. I was already planning on upgrading the big 3 right before this happened, just haven't been able to source some welding cable, tried home depot,...

Checked things with voltmeter Engine off, batt: ~12.62 it's only 3 months old engine on, at start: ~14.59 after engine on & warm with DRL: ~13.15 engine on warmed with lights and heater on low: ~12.70 engine on warmed with highbeams on and heater on high: ~12.25 are these acceptable numbers? If ...

Noticed my gauge reading 11-11.5, when I was parking it last night, gave it some gas and my headlights got a little brighter and the needle went up a bit, went in to restaurant for dinner with wifey, came back out, it started right up, but remained at same low voltage. On the freeway ride home, it s...

I just did this swap and it is a direct bolt on, you will need the composite lights with non functional small clear lenses on the sides, black plastic frames the lights are attached to, and bolts that attach the plastic frames to the vehicle, you will also need composite style harness ends with plug...

You guys from rust country would die seeing all the nice vans in my local junkyards, it's because of the clunkers program, all the nice ones have clunker written large in white shoe polish across the back window, they get violently picked apart within a few days then off to the crusher, one I was pi...