Need directions for changing an alternator in my Ford Ranger?

Question

99 Ford Ranger, six cylinder, 3.4 liter. Need Aternator, shop wanted to charge $398 plus extra for the belt. I don't have this kind of money at all. Will have to do it myself. Any kind of basic directions or links would be greatly appreaciated.

thank you

Answer 1

First disconnect the battery then remove belt by slackening the tensioner(watch your fingers!) then remove red wire on the back( a 10mm nut holds this on) Then unplug other wire, remove the bolts and remove. Installation is reverse procedure.

Answer 2

Usually your local auto shop will have the alternator you are looking for and calling around to 3 or more shops will find you the best price. YOu will likely have to return the old alternator for a 'core return' which means, they give you money back for the old one, usually barely worth the trip back. If this is a vehicle you plan on keeping for a bit, I would pickup a CHILTON book on it. It will show you , pretty much, how to replace the alternator. But basically, once you locate the alternator, you will have to unbolt it from the engine and replace it with the new one, and plug her in. Keep in mind however that belts that go around the alternator, on many vehichles also go around other items on the vehichle like the fan, air conditioner etc. If you do not pull this tight enough, you will get SQUEELING. If you pull it too tight you are liable to break the belt in a few weeks. Inspect the belt to make sure it is not worn too bad and that you do not have to replace this also. I would suggest this. THis is probably one of the easiest things a mechanic can do to a car honestly, that the average guy chooses not to do. All told I could do it in an hour but have been working on cars for a few years, usually because something breaks. I learned just like you, by just doing it. Sometimes you have to remove 'other stuff' to get to the stuff you need to fix. Be sure to document (write down) what bolts etc go where. Make drawings if it helps you. The easiest way to make sure the belt is tight enough, is to see that there is an adjustment you can use on the alternator that allows you to pull the slack out from the belt and then tighten the alternator down with a bolt or two, usually on some sort of slider. You'll know what I mean when you see it. Just pull it as tight as you can, and then tighten the bolt down. Don't try to SUPER pull the alternator tight, just enough muscle that you are straining yourself. If you are a weakling, then pull tight, if you are a big guy that is actually strong - then be gentle. I told one guy this and he said it was dead on: Pull the alternator hard enough away from the pulleys and belts, tightening the belts hard enough that if you suddenly let go and hit yourself in the stomach, you would definetely feel it and not like it. :) Btw get the chilton book...go on ebay. Usually about $25 bucks.

Answer 3

Try having the alternator rebuilt, it usually takes a day of two, sometimes if the rebuild shop is not too busy maybe a few hours....try finding one in the phone book.
The next bet would be one of your chain stores like Advance Auto or Auto Zone.

You can buy a how to manual from them too around twenty bucks.
If you can change it yourself and have it rebuilt you will get out for less than a hundred bucks...should be way less.

Remember to disconnect the battery cable before you touch the alternator with a tool. if you ground it out while the battery is still connected...sparks fly everywhere...not good...plus you could accidently cause the starter to engage the fly wheel and start the Ranger rolling...not good either when you are underneath it!.... just by the "how to" manual and it will take you step by step....well worth the 20 bucks you will spend on it.

Answer 4

Go to an auto parts store and buy a repair manual for your truck. It will cost you around 15-20 bucks, and will have step by step instructions in it to do the repair. Alternators are USUALLY a pretty easy item to replace. A new alternator should cost you a little under $100 at an auto parts store, and a new belt around 30 bucks. So for around $150 you can do it yourself and save over $250. I changed the alternator and belt in my '94 GMC Yukon last week, and it took me less than an hour, but I have a lot of experience working on cars. Most auto parts stores are very helpful, and will point you in the right direction. Good luck!

Answer 5

That's ridiculous. It takes an experienced person about 30 minutes to change an alternator. You pretty much just disconnect the black battery terminal, take the belt off, unplug the wires, unbolt the alternator and put the rebuilt one you got at Autozone on. Hook up the wires the same way they were on the old one, reconnect the battery, put the belt back on and crank er up.
You might try a different shop. Somebody is trying to rip you off.

Answer 6

go to a auto parts store and buy the haynes book for a 99 ranger it will tell you how to do that job and many more cost about 15 dollars