How To Replace The alternator?

21st November 2008, 21:34

hi ppl , i dont own a saxo , ive got a 318i bmw e30 , anyways my cuzen just got his saxo back from the body shop and it went in falut less 6months ago , now its out is got a list of issues.

anyways 2moz i have to change the alternator as its dead. engine dies as soon battery is removed regardless of rpm. i been told its a 10min job , i have had a look around the engine and have a ruff idea of what to do , so i found this site via google and wanted some one to post a guide on how to do this! , thanks in advance

21st November 2008, 22:02

Depends on what model/age Saxo it is - as how the alternator is held in, and the alternator connections are different.

How i would do mine (so may not be 100% for the one you're doing);

Disconnect battery!!
Two cables attached to alternator - one 13mm nut and one 8mm nut (may be 10mm

)
Undo both nuts, remove cables, replace nuts so you don't lose them.
Next - the alternator will be held in by two bolts. Bottom one is 16mm and a pain to get to unless you've got a spanner or a short socket/ratchet.
The bottom bolt is about 3 inches long - so don't worry that you seem to be undoing it for ages.
On mine, its got a fancy tensioning system for the upper bolt. I would unscrew the tensioning system so the belt is loose and remove the belt from the alternator - may need to undo the bolt holding the alternator to the bracket first, then once belt is out the way undo the top bolt completly.
The alternator should now be free to come out - but may need some encouragement as they can be a bit tight.

Then do the opposite. Fit alternator, loosely fit bottom bolt, fit belt around alternator, fit top bolt loosely. Tension the belt. Tighten top and bottom bolts to hold alternator in place. Fit both cables onto new alternator. Connect battery.

Slightly longer than a ten minute job. But then again i had a s/c in the way when i did mine so maybe you won't have the need to jack the car up and do it from underneath.

21st November 2008, 22:11

its a 1.6 vtr 8valve on a y reg (51 plate) the car is about 40 -60 mm dropped, thanks for the info mate , will have a bash at it, Its the 5 grove version , i got a price of £65 for a recon and refit , seemed cheap , but breakers want only £35. i was thinking of just replace the bush's and the regalator , but he opped for a new one for £110.

21st November 2008, 22:21

Ouch!!
Think mine was £30 from a breakers - and hardly any miles on it.

Mines a VTR as well, but a Mark 1. I think the main difference with the newer ones is the electrical connections, but maybe the bracket too. Pretty self explanitory what needs done - just figuring out how to do it and remembering how to put it all back in properly