97 Taurus Alternator

I have a 1997 Taurus LX with the 24 valve Duratech 3.0. Has anyone had occasion to replace the alternator on one of these? It looks impossible to get out. The shop manual makes it look easy showing the alternator being mounted at the top of the motor. I think it's confused with the standard 3.0. This one is mounted near the bottom and looks impossible to remove without pulling the engine. Just wondering what the scoop is with changing it.

See this thread........although mine is an '02

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=434002

See this thread........although mine is an '02

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=434002


Thanks for the input. I hate to say it but it sounds just like yours. I see no clear way to get to this thing from any angle. Is $500 what the dealer charged you? Was that just for labor?

It was $220 or so AFTER returning the core throuph PepBoys which gave me a lifetime warranty for the alternator versus $330 through Ford for a 90 day warranty.

It cost me $160 labor to have it installed at Ford versus $189 at PepBoys so I opted of course to have Ford do the labor.

I also went to a junk yard and paid $5 for an (from any other car) alternator to use as the core for PepBoys to get my $80 core back instantly plus allow me to keep my REMOVED alternator as a spare after I find an electrical shop to re-build it.

I hope this helps you out.

It was $220 or so AFTER returning the core throuph PepBoys which gave me a lifetime warranty for the alternator versus $330 through Ford for a 90 day warranty.

It cost me $160 labor to have it installed at Ford versus $189 at PepBoys so I opted of course to have Ford do the labor.

I also went to a junk yard and paid $5 for an (from any other car) alternator to use as the core for PepBoys to get my $80 core back instantly plus allow me to keep my REMOVED alternator as a spare after I find an electrical shop to re-build it.

I hope this helps you out jmassimilla