kylebgt

Guys please help me! I was heading to Iowa city today when all of the sudden my radio went dead. At first I thought that my cd player crapped out on me, I told my girlfriend "This better not be broken, I don't have the money to buy a new one" Not even a minute after I told her that my rpms dropped to nil and I found myself coasting over to the shoulder. I got a tow truck and after he dropped it off in a parking lot he jumped me. It ran but I left it there(40 miles from home) I am positive that my alternator is dead, the car is only 8 years old[:@] Does anyone know how hard it is to change an alternator on a pi 4.6? I have never done the job before, I am mechanically inclined but this is new to me. Is there a write up or how to guide anywhere online? Thanks everyone for reading and if you can please help me out.

josh.davis

It is easer than changing your oil. Your should up grade and buy one of those pollished chrome ones.

vanquish

exact same thing happened to me but it was a 1999 3.8L. I changed it in about 15 minutes and everything was perfect.

texas_stang02

it's real simple, all you'll need is the new alternator, a 3/8-drive ratchet, maybe a couple extensions (3" and 6") and some sockets. i don't remember what size socket you'll need for the alternator bolts, but i'm thinking like 12mm or 13mm or something like that, but just take an assortment with you. disconnect the power cable from the alternator. first take the belt off (not completely off, just off the alternator) and then you've got 4 bolts on top (you'll see a "C" shaped bracket on top of the alternator) and 2 bolts on the lower front of the alternator, you don't have to take them completely out, just loosen them and back them out a quarter inch or so. then you just put the new alternator in place, bolt it back up, plug all the wires in place, and put the belt back on. it really is that simple.

99GTvert

How are you positive its the alternator and not the battery? Did you test the alternator?

timeformiller44

lol on a pi 4.6...alt is still easier to change then a batt hahah...

kylebgt

*Update

I went back to my car today with a new battery, hoping to plug it in and run it until I got my car back home. Well before I plugged the new battery in I decided to give the alternator a test to see if it was dead. I turned it on and unplugged the positive terminal and it kept running:shrug: wtf! I guess the alternator is good, about 30 seconds later I smell smoke and see it coming from the bottom of the car. I am completely confused now. What could kill the battery and have all the symptoms of a dead alternator but not be the alternator. I am sick to my stomach over this problem