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Alternator trouble

Printed From: West Coast Fieros
Category: Technical Topics Forum
Forum Name: Technical Questions and Discussions
Forum Description: Got a technical question about your fiero? ask it here.
URL: http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=147
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Topic: Alternator trouble

Posted By: hedoerks
Subject: Alternator trouble
Date 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

Replies:

Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date 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.

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Capt Fiero
88 Fiero GT 5spd V6
Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.

Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 23 April 2007 at 12:44am

SO how did the alternator change go?

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Capt Fiero
88 Fiero GT 5spd V6
Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.