Alternator Dead

Battery, alternator, starter, cables, etc.
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Rileysowner
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Alternator Dead

Post by Rileysowner »

I went to start the van this morning to go and get some parts for out other car. It started, there was a screaming sound from the belt and a burning smell. There was only a 9V charge showing on the gauge then the van stalled. I popped the hood to see what I could see. Got a breaker bar for the tensioner and pulled off the belt. Sure enough the alternator would not spin by hand. I am assuming that like my other vehicles it should turn by hand. I grabbed a socket that will fit on the alternator pully bolt and I could turn it with the ratchet, but it makes a nasty grinding noise. I am guessing the alternator is shot. How hard are they to change?
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Yup, it's toast! Easy to swap, just hard to reach in for the charge wire in back.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

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Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Rileysowner
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by Rileysowner »

Any tips on reaching that wire? How many bolts, and where are they.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Make sure the battery is disconnected. Then remove the bolts holding in the alternator before removing the charge wire and other connector.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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Topic author
Rileysowner
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Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:14 pm
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by Rileysowner »

Thanks for the tips. I hope I can get the old one out tomorrow, but I may not have time as this week has become crazy busy.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/

Kidhauler
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by Kidhauler »

The alt on my 99 took a small prybar or large screwdriver to pry out. The bottom bolt has a kind of spring locator in that pinches the bottom of the alt mount to hold it in place. Getting the new one in was a bit of a fight as well I ended up tapping it into place with a rubber mallet.
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
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Rileysowner
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by Rileysowner »

Thanks for the warning. Just what I need.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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Rileysowner
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by Rileysowner »

I have two bolts out on the alternator at the front. I was stuck until I found the how to on the site, but as per usual I broke something. In this case the alternator mount bracket where the bolt goes through closest to the passenger side. I had aluminum. I assume that the bracket can be replaced, at least I hope so. What is involved in removing it?
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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justice
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by justice »

Rileysowner wrote:I have two bolts out on the alternator at the front. I was stuck until I found the how to on the site, but as per usual I broke something. In this case the alternator mount bracket where the bolt goes through closest to the passenger side. I had aluminum. I assume that the bracket can be replaced, at least I hope so. What is involved in removing it?
I believe there are 2 or 3 long bolts that hold that bracket to the engine block and head. I think they are 14mm and you will need and extension or deep socket to get to them.
I have a ban hammer and I ain't fraid to use it!


Current - 2004 Astro Cargo


Former
95 Safari (money pit - sold)
93 Astro Cargo (totaled)
85 Astro - (Bought for parts and scrapped)
92 Astro Conversion (sold)
87 Safari Shorty (sold)
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Topic author
Rileysowner
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by Rileysowner »

I found a wrecker with one for $75. I will try to get it tomorrow.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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Topic author
Rileysowner
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by Rileysowner »

justice wrote:
Rileysowner wrote:I have two bolts out on the alternator at the front. I was stuck until I found the how to on the site, but as per usual I broke something. In this case the alternator mount bracket where the bolt goes through closest to the passenger side. I had aluminum. I assume that the bracket can be replaced, at least I hope so. What is involved in removing it?
I believe there are 2 or 3 long bolts that hold that bracket to the engine block and head. I think they are 14mm and you will need and extension or deep socket to get to them.
Looking and feeling around I can find 3 bolt heads, one of which is hidden behind the tensioner pulley. I am not sure if it is accessible with removing the pulley or not.
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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Topic author
Rileysowner
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 1290
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:14 pm
Location: Exeter ON
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Re: Alternator Dead

Post by Rileysowner »

Does anyone know the torque on the bolts for attaching the bracket the alternator mount to to the engine?
"I have a torque wrench and I am not afraid to use it."
Jim
1997 GMC Safari RWD, Power Windows and Locks, 7 passenger, a/c, rear heat

http://rileysowner.blogspot.com/
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