Alternator trouble

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   Hi Everyone

I finally registered on the NEW, SLICK, West Coast Fieros Forum. 

JavaScript:AddSmileyIcon('[=D%3E]')

Let me tell you what happened: My wife was driving the Fiero home from 

Vancouver when it just died. (I was in Kelowna on a Soccer tournament.) 

She had it jump started, and drove it a few kilometers when it died again. 

after two more jump starts, she managed to limp home. Whem I got 

home from Kelowna I started up the Fiero and noticed that the Voltmeter 

was only registering approx. 10 v. It looks like I need a new alternator, or 

can they be repaired? 

After searching the Internet, I discovered that replacing an alternator is 

somwhat challenging for someone like me. But I did find some 

instructions that might make it easier. Check out these instructions. 

David B or John C, is this a recomended technique?

I don't want to step on anybody's toes here but I really 

would like to suggest the easiest way to get that alternator out without all 

the hassle everybody seems to think is involved. I bought my first Fiero in 

April, 1990 (86 V6 Auto).

I replaced the alternator once and told myself Pontiac may have made it 

difficult to get to certain engine parts but surely they don't want me to 

strip a 1/4 of my car down to simply replace the alternator?!!

I was certain there was an easier way. I began ordering literature on the 

assembly process of the car. Sure enough the answer was discovered. 

Since the first time I did tried it this way, I have since used this avenue to 

change all sorts of parts and also clean the engine and Trans REALLY 

good; not to mention the ease of changing my exhaust manifolds and 

tips.

Here is how (V6):

1. Chock the front wheels.

2. Take one bolt (15mm bolt, 15mm nut) completely out of the dogbone.

3. Take the rubber intake hose off at one side(5/16 nut driver on filter 

side).

4. If the two vacuum hoses from the engine to the trunk wall look short 

then remove one side of them also.

5. Raise the rear end by jacking up on the rear of the engine cradle as 

high as your floor jack will lift it.

6. See that the wheel chocks are still firmly against the front tires.

7. Place jack stands at the lifting pads located on the rear of the chassis 

forward of the front engine cradle mounts.

8. Take out the two rear cradle bolts (3/4")(use a 1/2" drive, long 

extension, and shallow socket).

9. Slowly lower the floor jack until the struts are fully extended then raise 

the cradle an inch or so to relieve the weight of the drivetrain from the 

struts.

10. Use a third jack stand to support the engine cradle.

11. Do whatever your heart desires from above or below the engine 

compartment;

this way will give new meaning to fixing Fieros to those who never tried 

it.

Good luck and don't hurt yourself or your Fiero. (BE CAREFUL)

Chris J. Vasek CJV88_PBODY@email.msn.com

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hedoerks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 April 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote hedoerks Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Alternator trouble Posted: 09 April 2007 at 10:35pm
	Hi Everyone I finally registered on the NEW, SLICK, West Coast Fieros Forum. JavaScript:AddSmileyIcon('[=D%3E]') Let me tell you what happened: My wife was driving the Fiero home from Vancouver when it just died. (I was in Kelowna on a Soccer tournament.) She had it jump started, and drove it a few kilometers when it died again. after two more jump starts, she managed to limp home. Whem I got home from Kelowna I started up the Fiero and noticed that the Voltmeter was only registering approx. 10 v. It looks like I need a new alternator, or can they be repaired? After searching the Internet, I discovered that replacing an alternator is somwhat challenging for someone like me. But I did find some instructions that might make it easier. Check out these instructions. David B or John C, is this a recomended technique? I don't want to step on anybody's toes here but I really would like to suggest the easiest way to get that alternator out without all the hassle everybody seems to think is involved. I bought my first Fiero in April, 1990 (86 V6 Auto). I replaced the alternator once and told myself Pontiac may have made it difficult to get to certain engine parts but surely they don't want me to strip a 1/4 of my car down to simply replace the alternator?!! I was certain there was an easier way. I began ordering literature on the assembly process of the car. Sure enough the answer was discovered. Since the first time I did tried it this way, I have since used this avenue to change all sorts of parts and also clean the engine and Trans REALLY good; not to mention the ease of changing my exhaust manifolds and tips. Here is how (V6): 1. Chock the front wheels. 2. Take one bolt (15mm bolt, 15mm nut) completely out of the dogbone. 3. Take the rubber intake hose off at one side(5/16 nut driver on filter side). 4. If the two vacuum hoses from the engine to the trunk wall look short then remove one side of them also. 5. Raise the rear end by jacking up on the rear of the engine cradle as high as your floor jack will lift it. 6. See that the wheel chocks are still firmly against the front tires. 7. Place jack stands at the lifting pads located on the rear of the chassis forward of the front engine cradle mounts. 8. Take out the two rear cradle bolts (3/4")(use a 1/2" drive, long extension, and shallow socket). 9. Slowly lower the floor jack until the struts are fully extended then raise the cradle an inch or so to relieve the weight of the drivetrain from the struts. 10. Use a third jack stand to support the engine cradle. 11. Do whatever your heart desires from above or below the engine compartment; this way will give new meaning to fixing Fieros to those who never tried it. Good luck and don't hurt yourself or your Fiero. (BE CAREFUL) Chris J. Vasek CJV88_PBODY@email.msn.com

Capt Fiero Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Founding Member Joined: 12 February 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 4039	Post Options Post Reply Quote Capt Fiero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 April 2007 at 11:22pm
	Nice to see you posting Henry, it has been a while. Well you are in luck, being as your car is a standard. (I know that because I helped to the clutch on your car and then the clutch slave bracket on the side of 152nd) Its pretty easy to do your alternator. Unhook the battery. Reach in and undo the single red wire going to the back of the alternator, then unplug the plug into the side of it. You can either jack up the car or simply reach from under it and remove the 13mm bolt that holds the alternator tight for the belt. Once the 13mm is undone, go back up top and remove the long 15mm bolt in the top, Best to use 2 hands once the bolt is almost all the way out, as the alternator will drop right out the bottom. Once you have it out the bottom, its a simple matter of the reveres procedure to put it all back together. On a standard trans it is a 30min job. If your car was an automatic it is a nightmare.
	Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.

Capt Fiero Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Founding Member Joined: 12 February 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 4039	Post Options Post Reply Quote Capt Fiero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 April 2007 at 12:44am
	SO how did the alternator change go?
	Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.