beary

Hi All

My battery light came on half way to work and then the car died just about mile from work. Lost all electrical. I'm thinking alternator, anything else? How easy is it to change? I don't have my tools, what will I need to barrow?

Thanks a head for any help.

2000 V6 Vert

Chopper

Alternators aren't that hard to change you nned to have a metric 3/8 drive socket set and a 1/2 or 3/8 inch breaker bar to loosen the belt tensioner.
New or rebuilt Ford alternators are generally a better deal than trying to use a rebuilt part.I personally have had trouble with parts store rebuilds as have many of the others on these forums.Make sure your battery is charged before starting your car.Alternators are meant to only maintain a battery,not recharge one.

GreyStang

That's right so, after swapping out the alternator you still havea dead battery to fix [:@]but chances are the battery will be OK after it's been recharged. Also, be sure the cables going to your alternator are good! A bad cable will give the same symptoms as a bad alternator

beary

Good advice, thanks. I found a new alternator for $170 and I'm going to replace the belt since I'm there. $170 seems a little high, but that is OK. Thanks for the advice on the battery. I wasn't thinking about that, and I will check the cables before I do anything else. Great advice.

Thanks again.

2000 V6 Vert

beary

Well it took 15 minutes to take the alternator out, 10 minutes to put it back on including a new belt. Stang's running back to normal. I'm **** about a clean engine, so I didn't hardly even get my handsdirty. Other than being stranded on road, I have no complants really. It has 145000 miles. That's really pretty good for an alternator.

Thanks for your help guys.

2000 V6 Vert