DIY Installing a New Alternator

[Premature Vtec]

Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!

Was searching around and didn't find anything so i got this for everyone. Hope its good enough ! :thumbsup:

Symptoms for a new Altenator:
Battery warning light on
Dimming headlights and electronics
Trouble starting, or
Flat battery

If you experience any of these, here is how to test if it's your alternator:

1. With the car turned off and all electronics off, measure the voltage of the battery.

If battery is completely flat (ie engine won't turn over) charge it over night and repeat step 1.


2. Start the car and measure voltage with the engine running.

If the voltage doesn't increase when the engine is running then your alternator isn't charging your battery.

So, provided there isn't a wiring problem and your alternator belt is shot, it's probably your alternator.



What you'll need:

Spanner set and/or
Socket set
Screwdrivers, various
Maybe a Beer lol.


Step 1. Disconnect battery! Before you even think about doing anything else, do this first.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step1.jpg






Step 2. Locate your alternator and take off the belt by unscrewing the bolt circled in red.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step2.jpg






Step 3. At the back of the alternator there are some cables that need to be unplugged. Mine had locking clips that need to be pressed down while pulling. A flat head screwdriver is handy to depress the clips while jimmying the plug out. Be gentle however, as there is a rubber o-ring on the plug that you must not damage.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step3.jpg


Behind that is an earth cable. Undo the nut and it slides off. Once the cables are off, tuck them out of the way
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step32.jpg






Step 4. Slide under the car and undo the two bolts circled in red. These are the only things holding the alternator now, so make sure that its weight is supported when you take them out.

Now if you're lucky, you can maneuver it straight out. But you may need to move some bits and pieces to make room.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step4.jpg






Step 5. Unwrap your shiny new alternator :thumbsup:
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step5.jpg

Slide it in place just how the old one was and screw the bolts underneath back in.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step6.jpg





Step 6. Now is a very good time to change your alternator belt. So take off the old one and put it under your spare wheel for an emergency because its still probably ok. Put the new one on and slip it over the alternator pulley.

Using a screwdriver as a lever, put tension on the belt as you screw the bolt back in behind the arm. Use as much force as you can when tensioning, just don't bend your screwdriver.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step7.jpg





Step 7. Put a tiny bit of lube on the o-ring and reconnect the plug and earth wire.

Now stop and think. Make sure everything is back how it was, anything you moved out the way is back in place, all your tools are out of the engine bay, etc
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step8.jpg





Step 8. Reconnect battery.

Now repeat the alternator check at the top of the article. Your voltage should now jump to a healthy 14v (ish) when you start the car. Take it for a quick test drive and test high beams etc.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step9.jpg





Step 9. FINISHED ! :D
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae57/hondataa/step10.jpg




Hope this article has been helpful and feel free to comment. Cheers. :honda:

[soongster]

i think u should tension the belt until its as "tensioned" as the timing belt and other belts? use one hand to keep the screw driver there and use ur other hand to feel the other belts and compare the feel with the alternator one.

correct me if im wrong but the tension shudnt be too tight, no?

and if u are using an alternator from the chop shop (like me) make sure u change the brushes and the regulator :)

[CB7_OWNER]

Perfect Timing for DIY

I also question the tension on the belt however,,whats a "safe" tension for the belt

[Premature Vtec]

yeah soongster is right tension shouldnt be to tight ..

[vinnY]

i usually shoot for about 10mm of deflection
anyone disagree?

[na-118]

1 inch up and down tension

[Boban]

i usually tension it up so you can still rotate it about 1/4 of the way, if that makes sense

anyways +1 for you sir

[phwoaaa]

nice diy :)

might want to mark a rough size for bolts so it might make it easier for lazy ppl :P

usually all about 10,12,14mm's..

[kairi_k]

nice one

[beeza]

Yes,good work!

[vinnY]

1 inch up and down tension

um what 1inch?