1995 240SX SE - Bad alternator or something else?

[ned4spd8874]

Okay, so I just replaced the belts and now the alternator is not charging. I first thought it was a battery becuase the car was sitting for most of the winter. Nope. I drove it for about 1-2 hours and noticed that the battery was getting drained.

I then noticed the Battery and Brake lights were on. I was going to replace the alternator, but then realized how crammed it was in there.

I really think it's odd that this started happening right after changing the belts though. Everything is hooked up right. The belts are on correctly and tight.

What could I be missing?

[vancouverbc]

Belts on too tight? Battery cable loose. Oil on belts.Not sure.

[180fan]

the alternator comes out the bottom pretty easily.

[ned4spd8874]

I actually purchased an alternator with the intention to replace it. But I think it's too big a job for me. I looked under the car, and there is just too much stuff in the way.

[180fan]

It's seriously not too bad. You do the work to loosen for the most part from the top and you do the removal from the bottom. One thing you will probably need to do is pull the lower part of the radiator fan shroud out of the way (it clips on btw) to give you more clearance.

[ned4spd8874]

It looked like I had to remove a tie rod and possibly a radiator hose, if not the whole radiator.

I had looked here before I bought it and saw that everyone was saying that it could be removed from the bottom, but once I got under my car, I just didn't see how to easily drop it down without removing a whole lot of stuff that I don't feel comfortable in removing.

Does someone have a walkthrough on this out there? Possibly with pics? Maybe that would help me. Or if anyone is in the S.E. Michigan area that is willing to give me a hand for a few dollars, I would appreciate it.

Otherwise, I think I'm going to have to take it into the shop if it is a alternator.

[ricebike]

d/l the fsm & see what 180 was talking about the fan shroud... yep rad hose may have to be removed if accessability is really cramped in the DOHC engines... (I wouldn't know; i got the SOHC)

Odd that this happen after the belt change; did u retraced your steps in doing the belt change? mebbe u just disconnected the plug to the alt or something... recheck everything b4 hauling it over to a shop for the alternator replacement.

keep the old one for now & have it bench tested (for free @ many parts stores) just to rule out it was bad brushes/diodes/etc. & not just a wiring problem/belt tension...

PS: if you were local, i woulda give u a hand, just to gain some DOHC/ KA24DE experience

[180fan]

1. normal kill the power from the battery deal. 2. go to the alternator and pull the wires at the back, should be what 2 wires and a plug?3. release the tension on the alternator by loosening the bolt that the alternator pivots on then move to the top and start undoing the tensioner bolt (the long one at the top) Now that the alternator is being held in place by the long bolt at the bottom, head to the underside where you will experience hell on earth. No just kidding.4. Hopefully you've pulled the cover at the bottom of the engine bay. Now pull the lower piece of the radiator fan shroud out of the way.5. pull the pivot bolt out and start workin the alternator down. It'll come out towards the front of the car, you will probably have to move the lower radiator hose out of the way (just push it aside not disconnect it) and voila! removed!6. reverse the steps above to get it in *chuckles* get it in. huh huh huh huh.

uh that'd make 11 steps in total if you count backwards to finish everything up?

[ned4spd8874]

Whew! Got the old Alternator out. Yeah...talk about a tight fit! I just hope that I can wedge the new one back up there....and that I'll actually remember how it came out!!!

But boy do I have a LOT of oil down there. The Alternator was just gummed up with it! Looks like that's next. The whole undercarrage is covered in grease and oil.

And I did double check everything and even tightened the belt a little more, still no go. So I'm sure it's the Alternator. Especially after seeing the condition it's in. I will still have it tested though beforehand just to make sure.

[ned4spd8874]

Okay, I got the Alternator replaced...that was easy!

But now I have a different issue...see this tread: http:zerothread/176252