[Tavel]

alright, i need to take the alternator out so i can go have it tested(either it's toast, or the regulator's toast). but i got stuck on the AC.

what is the easiest way to remove the alternator on a car with AC? i see two possible ways, the first is to remove the AC compressor, the second is to remove the coolant lines above the alternator.

which one is easier?

 

[Token Moron]

u do not need to remove either to get a hold or the alternator.

 

[Tavel]

alright, ill keep trying. im not a very good mechanic, so i get stuck on things that would make a mechanic laugh.

 

[Tavel]

alright, i was able to remove it without removing the compressor...but at the expense of much frustration.

and now im looking for someone to drive me to autozone, aw shucks.

 

[Tavel]

how come i cant' edit posts?

i had the alternator tested and it was broken. the replacement was a refurbished unit for $120. the battery was unpluged so lung that the ECU reset so starting the car up was a bit difficult. but it started none the less, and i hooked everythign up right(surprises me). the new alternator puts out 14.2 volts at idle, sweet.

i also changed the oil while it was up on stands.

 

[Token Moron]

funny, i changed my alternator in less than a half hour today. now my battery terminals are busted.

 

[Tavel]

like i said, im not a good mechanic. lol! :cheers:

i figure i worked on this for 4 or 5 hours total. it seems like longer to me because i changed the oil on my girlfreinds car first, then did my oil, then did the alternator. ...and had a night inbetween cus i got tired yesterday.

there were a few delays that weren't part of my being a crappy mechanic. first, my ride was 2 hours late to take me to the auto parts store. second: someone accidently kicked the bucket with my bolts in it and i lost one, so i had to change my clothes and find a ride to the hardware store.

 

[Harris]

Grab a Haynes manual. Enough said.

 

[Tavel]

see now, when i said im a bad mechanic, i never said anyting about being dumb. i know how to do the procedures, i just dont posess the necesary skills to do it quickly.

i have a haynes manual...doesn't help much, you should know that. :thumbup:

1. detach the cable from the negative terminal of the battery
2. disconnect the electrical connectors from the alternator
3. loosen the alternator bolts and detach drive belt
4. remove the adjustment and pivot bolts and separate the alternotor from the engine
5. installation is the reverse of removal
6. after the alternator is installed, adust the drivebelt tension.

seriously, does that say anything that doesn't fall into the "no sh!t" category? i know how to do it, i just dont have the skill do to it well...hence im a bad mechanic.

 

[Harris]

I don't understand, you say you know how to do it, which therefore means you HAVE the skill to do it, but then you say you don't have the skill, which would mean you don't know how to do it.

Which one is it mate?

 

[Tavel]

skill is not knowledge. we all know how to run, but we dont have the skill to be marathon runners do we? i know how to do mechanic work, but i dont have the skill to do it quickly.

to clear up what i mean, ill change the statement slightly.

i know what to do, i dont know how to do it.

better?

 

[94Sentra Se-R]

LoL dont sound like u cant do it u just wasnt sure how u should do it . But ya i hate changin altenators on these kinds of cars. I did it to my integra and couldnt find no way of takin it out with out the removal of the half shaft so since i didnt have the tools to take it off i said f... it and drove it 50 miles with the altenator hanging at the bottom of the engine bay lol. Gj in finally gettin it done. now hopefully u wont have to do it again

 

[Tavel]

LoL dont sound like u cant do it u just wasnt sure how u should do it . But ya i hate changin altenators on these kinds of cars. I did it to my integra and couldnt find no way of takin it out with out the removal of the half shaft so since i didnt have the tools to take it off i said f... it and drove it 50 miles with the altenator hanging at the bottom of the engine bay lol. Gj in finally gettin it done. now hopefully u wont have to do it again

/\ ahh you understood what i meant!

my dad said the alternator will far outlast the car, i was glad to hear that :cheers:.

and yeah, hondas have even tighter engine bays than nissans. my brother upgraded his alternator (for his sound system) in his 91 integra, but he removed his air conditioning because A. it didn't work and B. it was parasitic to engine power. i think im gonna take mine out too for the same reasons...but im scared abut the pressurized freon.

(i also want to take the heat exchangers off a dehumidifier, but am worried about the freon in there too.)

anyone know how to safely depressurize an AC system?