alternator change

[katlady]

I have a 2002 touring model 2.4b. I need to replace my alternator and need to know how hard it would be to do it myself. I know that i should replace timing belt and drive belts while im at it. Does this job require dropping the engine? I cant seem to find anything online on how to do this job.
My lights flicker and engine surges and rough idle. I was told by a number of people that it was my alternator. I will be taking it in to test it to make sure.

[garyerrol]

From what I understand, to change the alternator, you need to pull the front passenger wheel and remove a panel in the wheel well. The alternator comes out through it. When my alternator went out, I had none of your things happen. The dash light lit up and I heard a warning bell. It ran perfectly until that moment and even afterwards when I took it to the garage to be looked at.

[chris15]

So you're saying that you can turn the car over, and it runs, but your lights flicker, etc. etc.? Have you used a voltmeter on the battery and alternator points? I'd check that before you go out and buy a new alternator. The problem could lie in a number of places, and it's better to rule out the easy fixes before diving in and replacing major components.

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by chris15

So you're saying that you can turn the car over, and it runs, but your lights flicker, etc. etc.? Have you used a voltmeter on the battery and alternator points? I'd check that before you go out and buy a new alternator. The problem could lie in a number of places, and it's better to rule out the easy fixes before diving in and replacing major components.

Completely agree.
Usually an alternator just "dies" and battery doesn't get charged.
A lot of places - Sears, WalMart, etc - will test your charing system for free (in hopes of selling you a battery).
Make sure before you replace.
Check and add ground connections from - side of battery to body and engine....

[chris15]

Yeah, if your car turns over, that means that your alternator's charging your battery, which would mean that the alternator's doing its job and isn't malfunctioning. Use a voltmeter and test the battery with the ignition off and ensure it's above 12volts (which it should be if the car's turning over). Afterwards, start the car and then test the battery again. If it's running at a lesser voltage than when the car was off, it's your alternator. When running, the battery should stay at around 13v, if I remember correctly.

If it is around 13v, but your voltage reading was low with the ignition off, it's probably just the battery. Since your lights are dimming and whatnot, I'm suspecting a short or some sort of grounding issue. That would cause dimming of your headlights and also cause the PCM to get a little upset, resulting in your rough idle and whatnot.

[katlady]

Okay that helps. I was already gonna take it in to a parts store and have it checked. just strange that when the engine surges or stuter (not sure what to call it) the lights dim with it.But i can only notice it in the dark. When driving the car i can slightly feel the surges. It is worst at night due to the headlights being on. One of the things i do plan to do, that i thought might have been the problem is the plugs, wires and intake gaskets. Now if the belt isnt tight would that cause the alternater to skip? I just bought this car and i do have alot of things to do to it. i just want to do as my as i can on my own if capable. I work on cars alot, just this car seems much more complicated with how there is no room around the engine to work on it. Like doing the timing belt i would have to send it to the shop. Not somthing i want to even try. I love this car and dont want to get rid of it.

[quicksilverdon]

From what you describe, seems you have a "stumble" with ignition. 90% of the time that's wires and plugs. Get just about anybody's wires but the stock ones, they are crap. The stock Champion plugs are okay - gap at 0.040.
If your belt was loose, suspect you'd hear a squeal....