amazing stupid problem repair alternator on old van

Scrapman

Rollingdembones
Forum Member
Jan 6, 2013
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south east PA
ok this is my van i use for work old 99 ford windstar fucking alternator went poof tues night LOL after i was done unloading 600 lbs of steel at scrap dealer got hot shot drove 50 yards to ATM machine damn thing wouldn't start again that told me the alternator went.

One guy kind enough gave me 15 min charge that got me home.

So today i go to used parts yard where you pull it .
Couldnt remove 3rd bolt on side facing passenger fender.

Socket i borrowed from thier mechanic was deep socket wouldnt fit bewteen wheel well and bolt.

SO i search internet and see video of mechanic on you tube remove the top 3 bolts on a 2003 model same setup as 99.

I confirmed it calling up my guy he said yeah Bill that's all you remove!

LMAO 2 1/2 hours froze my balls off at yard removing the bottom bracket bolts that are not removed.

And to top it off my 13 mm 14mm box wrench i dropped and it disappeared somewhere!

I'll get them to lift that junk van up so i can get my wrench back because it was expensive.
ohh btw used one opnly cost $35 after giving them yours New one lowest price at pepboys $223.99 $35 back for core.

WOW i just saved $153.99 wait also 8% on taxes saved. $14.71

Only thing u have trouble with used is starters because they have them sitting out in large drums and you need to take em apart clean out the rust and lubricate all moving parts.





:facepalm:
 

Morris

Tent Maker
Forum Member
Aug 23, 2002
32,058
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Above the Clouds....
ok this is my van i use for work old 99 ford windstar fucking alternator went

Only thing u have trouble with used is starters because they have them sitting out in large drums and you need to take em apart clean out the rust and lubricate all moving parts.





:facepalm:

:0039
 

DZ

Urban Achiever
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Oct 22, 2009
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I guess they don't call him the scrapman for nothin' :shrug:
 

fatdaddycool

Chi-TownHustler
Forum Member
Mar 26, 2001
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Translated;

He just spent 2 1/2 hours in the cold trying to remove an alternator only to find out he was taking off the bottom bracket instead of the top bracket. Oh and he lost his metric wrench in the dark so he is going to have the scrap guys lift the junker up tomorrow to find it and don't buy a starter from him.

Hope that helps,
FDC
 

Betone

Registered User
Forum Member
Aug 24, 2004
16,277
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Monument, CO
Translated;

He just spent 2 1/2 hours in the cold trying to remove an alternator only to find out he was taking off the bottom bracket instead of the top bracket. Oh and he lost his metric wrench in the dark so he is going to have the scrap guys lift the junker up tomorrow to find it and don't buy a starter from him.

Hope that helps,
FDC

Not so much, WTF ever :lol:
 

Tcas

Registered User
Forum Member
May 8, 2008
1,272
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48
FL
ok this is my van i use for work old 99 ford windstar fucking alternator went poof tues night LOL after i was done unloading 600 lbs of steel at scrap dealer got hot shot drove 50 yards to ATM machine damn thing wouldn't start again that told me the alternator went.

One guy kind enough gave me 15 min charge that got me home.

So today i go to used parts yard where you pull it .
Couldnt remove 3rd bolt on side facing passenger fender.

Socket i borrowed from thier mechanic was deep socket wouldnt fit bewteen wheel well and bolt.

SO i search internet and see video of mechanic on you tube remove the top 3 bolts on a 2003 model same setup as 99.

I confirmed it calling up my guy he said yeah Bill that's all you remove!

LMAO 2 1/2 hours froze my balls off at yard removing the bottom bracket bolts that are not removed.

And to top it off my 13 mm 14mm box wrench i dropped and it disappeared somewhere!

I'll get them to lift that junk van up so i can get my wrench back because it was expensive.
ohh btw used one opnly cost $35 after giving them yours New one lowest price at pepboys $223.99 $35 back for core.

WOW i just saved $153.99 wait also 8% on taxes saved. $14.71

Only thing u have trouble with used is starters because they have them sitting out in large drums and you need to take em apart clean out the rust and lubricate all moving parts.





:facepalm:


epnp5k.gif
 

Scrapman

Rollingdembones
Forum Member
Jan 6, 2013
5,929
112
63
south east PA
OK so to clear up what i said it's just simply learning your vehicles nuts and bolts for DIY

got my wrench back it was under frame on the ground thats why i couldn't see it!
Took off the junk yard alternator in 5 minutes.

BUT couldnt get my belt tension loose on my van i didnt have the proper tools or know how to do it.

called up my mechanic and drove to him him and helper using large pry bar to move the spring loaded pulley got it done in half an hour.

No way by myself to do it;
while pete jr was holding the pry bar on the pulley mike pulled the serpentine belt off the alterantor and it closed down to next pulley

after that it was quick to remove my bad alternator.

SO only cost me $65 total $35 for the alternator $30 for their help and i saved like $150 as opposed to just new one at pep boys.

Yeah it's hard the first time you repair a different vehicle but now i know for future reference any vehicle i have search the net search you tube and get advice from other mechanics!

I been working on cars since i was teenager

today's vehicles are fucked up no room to get wrenches in between side wheel well and parts!

In other words we DIY guys just have to take in to shop and pay to have simple repairs done!

SO after tonight out working on streets i will know if this used alternator is good.

Cant tell right now battery was fully charged in house.

But tonight with lights on and heater on i will know in 30 mins.
 

DuckDogs

Registered
Forum Member
Sep 26, 2011
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0
with a socket and a length of cheater pipe - you can pop that serpentine belt on & off with relative ease by yourself, swapped out that belt on my pick-up by myself this summer:toast:
 

Scrapman

Rollingdembones
Forum Member
Jan 6, 2013
5,929
112
63
south east PA
with a socket and a length of cheater pipe - you can pop that serpentine belt on & off with relative ease by yourself, swapped out that belt on my pick-up by myself this summer:toast:

I know duck dogs but when your dealing with sub freezing temps and gusty winds it fucking hurts.

Matter of fact aint no way to fit a socket on pulley only 1 .5 " in between frame and bolt!

The tension pulley is back under water pump on 99 windstar.



As i said 1st time is hardest next time i will ask how to do it and what bolts need to be removed.
But if it's something like the water pump on this V6 side mounted engine i would have to take in to shop for repairs.

I'm expecting to sell this van for about 1000$

and with $1500 my own cash by june or july get larger work van 10 ft to 12 ft body so i can make more money per load!

Other Car i have a 11 yr old jaguar XJ cream puff only 55 k on it so far minor repairs.

But this car runs sweet highway smooth city streets too ultra quiet interior.
 
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