How do i change my alitnater?

Grant888 · Post by **Grant888** » September 13th, 2006, 9:12 am

Ok so I have a 1992 Mx3 GS. and my alitnater is dead. I was looking at it last night and there doesnt seem to be much room to work with. So im woundering what the easiest and fasted way to remove the old one and install the new one.

lakersfan1 · Post by **lakersfan1** » September 13th, 2006, 9:52 am

Do yourself a favor and just take out the radiator. Just disconnect both hoses, pull the screws out of the top plate, and pull the thing out. It's the easiest way to do it, and it will insure you don't mess up the fragile radiator trying to work around it. It only takes 10 minutes to pull the radiator ...... just do it.

MazdaNoob123 · Post by **MazdaNoob123** » September 13th, 2006, 8:16 pm

NO!!! dont make more of a problem for yourself.

You have to change the alt from underneith the car.
While your at it make sure to replace the belt

hgallegos915 · Post by **hgallegos915** » September 13th, 2006, 8:24 pm

Why would it be problems to do that? it takes around hmm 5 minutes to take it out? Its WAY easier if u pull radiator out. TRUST ME..

lakersfan1 · Post by **lakersfan1** » September 13th, 2006, 8:34 pm

hgallegos915 wrote:Why would it be problems to do that? it takes around hmm 5 minutes to take it out? Its WAY easier if u pull radiator out. TRUST ME..

Yes it is. Pulling from underneath is a PITA to avoid pulling the radiator in a few minutes.

Nd4SpdSe · Post by **Nd4SpdSe** » September 13th, 2006, 9:48 pm

Did mine a few weeks ago, I don't have A/c which makes it easier but we mostly did it on ramps and one working on top and one working userneath the car. Didn't even think of removing the rad, it wasn't a problem.

illapino · Post by **illapino** » September 14th, 2006, 2:12 am

Grant: no one here has given you a step-by-step procedure on how to replace your alternator, which I'm sure is what you wanted, so buy yourself a Chilton's Car Repair Manual from your local Wal-Mart. I don't think anyone else publishes such a thing. Only Chilton's. I have one and it tells you everything you need to know about car repair, specifically for the Mazda MX-3, and has diagrams everywhere with labels and connections inserted.

I also would like to take out my alternator for the sole purpose of cleaning the grease and oil all over its shell, but lifting my car last night with a hydraulic jack and looking from underneath at my oil pan on an unrelated issue, i happened to come across the alternator under there: and yes it is very accessible from below the car. Nothing is in the way, I could've just reached out and touched it like a heart.

Chiltons

precidian · Post by **precidian** » September 14th, 2006, 2:23 am

there is an online shop manual which illustrates everything you need to know to change the alternator. just go to mx-3.com...

lakersfan1 · Post by **lakersfan1** » September 14th, 2006, 9:37 am

illapino wrote: I also would like to take out my alternator for the sole purpose of cleaning the grease and oil all over its shell, but lifting my car last night with a hydraulic jack and looking from underneath at my oil pan on an unrelated issue, i happened to come across the alternator under there: and yes it is very accessible from below the car. Nothing is in the way, I could've just reached out and touched it like a heart.

Chiltons

You don't have air conditioning either?

Grant888 · Post by **Grant888** » September 14th, 2006, 1:54 pm

thanks to all of you. im going to wallmart tonight the get the book. and if i get teh time and If i can do it right

ill try and do a step-by-step how to if you want..

thanks again!

illapino · Post by **illapino** » September 15th, 2006, 2:36 am

no air conditioner... i want to swap one in someyear, but who cares. summer just ended.

By the way Grant, the online repair manual is for the 1995 Mazda MX-3. Probably the alternator is the same for all year mx-3s, but keep that in mind. what is different technically anyway with 92 and 95 ????

lakersfan1 wrote:
illapino wrote: I also would like to take out my alternator for the sole purpose of cleaning the grease and oil all over its shell, but lifting my car last night with a hydraulic jack and looking from underneath at my oil pan on an unrelated issue, i happened to come across the alternator under there: and yes it is very accessible from below the car. Nothing is in the way, I could've just reached out and touched it like a heart.

Chiltons
You don't have air conditioning either?