I have a 1989 ford thunderbird. The alternator is not working and i dont want to pay a mechanic to fix it, so i will change it myself. Although, i dont know where it is located. Can anyone help me out?
2006-10-04 18:00:58 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This is what an alternator looks like.
http://images.google.com/images?q=altenator&hl=en
It will be located at the front top of the motor to left or right.
Yep for sure disconnect the battery!
2006-10-04 19:34:04 · answer #1 · answered by reporebuilder 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The exact location depends on what engine the vehicle has, and sometimes if it has AC or not. In general, it will always be at the front of the engine, because it is belt driven. Usually replacement is just a matter of removing the belt and then a few bolts and the electrical connections, but occasionally the alternator is placed somewhere where it is very hard to get to. If you have a repair manual for the car, such as a Chilton's manual, it should help greatly. If you don't have such a manual, I would get one for the car regardless of whether you want to make your own repairs or not. Even if all you want to do is read about what would need to be done so a mechanic can't BS you, the manual is very helpful. Good luck!
2006-10-04 18:18:47 · answer #2 · answered by Jonathan R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your Thunderbird is probably a rear wheel drive. If you've never done this before, you'll be surprised how much difference that will make in where your alternator is and how easy it is to change. Rear wheel drive, MUCH easier. There are two things you can do. One is to go to the AutoZone, look at one of their Haynes manuals for your car, figure out where your alternator is and what to do and put the manual back and walk out... OR find it yourself and change it. Alternator is really easy (unlike water pump or AC compressor.) It is the one with all the copper wiring easily visible through the holes in the front. To change: loosen tension bolt (not remove... loosen), take belt off, pull all bolts (they will be screwed in from the back) replace with new or rebuilt (should be installed the same as the old one was), insert bolts but leave tension bolt with a little play in it, use broom handle (or the like) to put tension on the belt (when it's good it should have about 1 inch of play) DON'T LET GO OF THE TENSION... keep tension on and tighten tension bolt. The tension bolt is the one in the slotted hole (as opposed to just a round hole in the bracket). You're done. Start car, go pick up girlfriend who's tired of waiting for you to fix your car. Say many nice things and have much fun.
2006-10-04 18:21:37 · answer #3 · answered by mhaize 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where Is My Alternator
2017-01-19 13:48:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Crazymist,
Get a Chiton's book on 1989 Ford Thunderbirds, or Ford dealer can usually tell you where it is. When I work on my car the guys at the auto store are more than happy to help me out or tell me where I can find the information-because the Auto store guys will probably sell you the part. Good luck I hope this helps you, have a good day!
2006-10-04 18:14:52 · answer #5 · answered by dousmokedoobies69 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do it.
It is on top between the radiator and engine and looks like an electric motor. The fan belt turns the alternator, so it has a pulley on it, too. Unplug the wires in the back of the alternator. Look for the bolts on a sliding mount on top and loosen to remove. Remove bottom long bolt on a shaft last. Remove bottom bolt and take it off the fan belt. Leave pulley on the alternator. Now go get another one and repeat in reverse order.
2006-10-04 18:17:10 · answer #6 · answered by randyrich 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about Fords, but most alternators are located on top of the engine, near the front and are driven by a belt that goes around the fan.
2006-10-04 18:04:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Far be it for me to burst your bubble but if you don't know where a simple alternator is on a basically simple car you're asking for trouble. On these cars its at the top of the engine, just look for the big round device with cooling fins behind a small pulley. Better yet, take it to a decent mechanic, I feel a real lesson is about to happen here wabbit!
2006-10-04 18:08:13 · answer #8 · answered by ron k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under the hood of your vehicle one of the belts belong to the alternator and it will be the one without a hose connected to it and it will have wires comeing out of the backside usually. The altinator is connected to the fan belt and the fan belt is what drives it!
2006-10-04 18:15:12 · answer #9 · answered by Rene' 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the only belt driven accecory on the front of the motor that has a wire coming off the back it that goes to the battery-silver round thing that has slits or holes in it-you should be able to see copper wire through the slits-plus its got a 2 wire plug in and a bolt on the back that holds a red wire on it-this is the wire that goes to the battery-hope this helps
2006-10-04 18:11:30 · answer #10 · answered by daniel p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋