Anyone changed one before? Lights on it dimmed this morning on the way to work. Kept it alive by blipping the throttle to keep the rpms up until I got to work but pretty sure it's on its way out. Hopefully it will get me home. Really don't want to change an alternator in slacks and a polo. Alternator looks to be buried and a real pita to get to. I've read everything from removing a motor mount and taking it out the bottom to removing the intake manifold and taking it out through the top.
Silentassassin185
OCT 09, 07:16 PM
Got me home okay. Alternator tested okay at auto zone. Employee there said to check engine to chassis ground. Its tight and looks good. Not sure what to check next. Trying to find the location of any more grounds I need to be worried about. Guess I'll dig out the chilton's and see if it shows anything.
Khw
OCT 10, 12:36 AM
Was it cold there this AM? Might be the battery not responding well to a drop in temperature? My Mazda has cranked slower these last few days, since our temps dropped into the 30's these last few mornings. I have a feeling I'll be replacing the battery soon.
Tstang429
OCT 10, 03:11 AM
exactly how mine acted when the battery went south. How old is your battery. The weathers changing and these morning colds snap batteries.
Silentassassin185
OCT 10, 10:42 AM
Battery tested fine when they tested the alternator. Battery will be installed for 2 years in December. Ran fine this morning on the way to work. Temp was about the same outside (high 30s). The previous owner left plenty of electrical gremlins it would seem. The wife bought this car before we were married and now I'm driving it for my commute to work. Previous owner pulled out all his stereo stuff but left all the wires behind. Also did some wiring that has screwed up other things (power windows, gauge cluster).
[This message has been edited by Silentassassin185 (edited 10-10-2012).]
