98 Malibu Alternator issue

d_goldsmith · #1 12-13-2006, 08:00 PM

I have a 98 malibu 3.1L w/AC and the alternator stopped working (according to schucks test). I'm having a hell of a time getting the alternator out. I took the two visible bolts off of the top, but can't get to the bolt below the pulley, and when I tried to take the bold off the front (with wires going to it) it sparked. Any and all advise would be great. I don't have a chilton's and can't find anything online. Thanks.

Edit to add: It turns out it was a 2.4L and this thread explains how to replace the alternator.

steve_o · #2 12-14-2006, 10:27 PM

You should always start by disconnecting the negative battery terminal.
Then remove the drive belt.
Disconnect the output wire (probably that thing that sparked) and the electrical connector from the alternator.
Remove the mounting bolts and remove the alternator from the engine.

A good way to tell how many bolts is to look at the new alternator as a guide.

My Haynes manual has been a big help with my '98

d_goldsmith · #3 12-14-2006, 11:11 PM

Awesome. Thank you.

Can you tell me how many mounting bolts yours has. I ordered an alternator online, and am afraid it might not have the same mounting bolts. I heard there are two different alternators for 98's.

wymi · #4 12-15-2006, 01:17 PM

IIRC, my 01 3.1 had 3 mounting bolts, the one at the back is kind of hidden.

steve_o · #5 12-16-2006, 09:19 AM

Yes, 3 sounds correct.

You really have to feel back there to get at it, if I remember correctly it is a long bolt.

And it all makes sense once you get it out.

d_goldsmith · #6 12-24-2006, 12:37 AM

Thanks for all the help everyone. It is three mounting bolts. I can't figure out how to get the belt off though. It seemed like there was a useless polley right below the alternator, that I figured was there to tension the belt, and that loosening that pulley it would let me loosen the bolt, but I couldn't get it loose (I don't have many tools). am I right, or is there another way to get the belt off?

Also, I had heard that there were two different alternators for this particular year, and I ordered one off of eBay (awesome deal) but I think it's the wrong one. It doesn't have the same bolt spot that mine has, and it has a place for some sort of 4 prong female plug. I'm wondering if anyone knows a way to splice the wires to the prongs (male side) or if they know if I can get a plug for it and splice the wires to the wires that are bolted on?

Here's a close up of the port for the plug

This is the bumper side of the alternator with an arrow pointing to where the bolt is on the one that is in the car.

This would be the top view from standing at the front bumper.

There are also two wires running to something right below the bolt, but I haven't been able to get the alternator out yet and can't tell if there is another bolt holding them, or some plug. There is no plug at the bottom of it though, like there is on the one I just bought.

maxwedge · #7 12-24-2006, 10:12 AM

It is the wrong alternator!!

wymi · #8 12-24-2006, 10:25 AM

The belt comes off by putting a 3/8 ratchet in the pulley assembly and swinging the whole assembly. Look for the squared off opening in the pulley arm and put your longest handle ratchet in the square and push very hard to swing the assembly enough to get the belt off. It's a pita & you have to really push hard and slip the belt off. It does look like that's the wrong alternator.

d_goldsmith · #9 12-26-2006, 04:12 AM

I'm very sure that it is the wrong alternator, but it seems like the guts are the same and I should be able to make this one work. Does anyone know where I can get the plug and more importantly, which of the four posts belong to the four wires in my car.

maxwedge · #10 12-26-2006, 01:14 PM

You cannot get this apart to change the rear frame for one, this is not going to work out.

d_goldsmith · #11 12-31-2006, 10:20 PM

Sorry about the delay in getting back to you, hopefully you still see this at some point. What do you mean by change the rear frame? I assume that means something about it mounting up, but the mounting holes are the exact same. Everything is the same except it is missing the bolt that I made the read arrows pointing to, and it has a four prong plug that mine doesn't have.

madmedix · #12 01-01-2007, 07:08 AM

Methinks he means opening both alternators and switching out the guts and putting it all in the old rear frame so it mounts up. The grief you will go through putting in the wrong alternator is not worth it. IMHO the alternator that came with these cars was barely adequate. I replaced mine with beefier one (~100 amp) and noticed several improvements immediately.
Good Luck! & Happy New Year!

steve_o · #13 01-02-2007, 09:05 AM

Madmedix,

I have had to replace my alternator twice since owning my '98 and have also come to the conclusion that this alternator is inadequate.

Do you have more info on your "beefier" 100 AMP?

Manufacturer?
Where did you purchase it?
Cost?
Was there any special notes with mounting, connecting or installing it?

Steve

d_goldsmith · #14 01-05-2007, 02:58 AM

Now that I think about it, I'm also curious to see if anyone thinks the issue might not be my alternator. I'm pretty sure it is though.

The car runs fine when the battery has a fresh charge, but after a while the battery light will come on, then the dash lights and head lights will flicker a bit and the gauges drop in a flickering way. After a while of that, the dash and headlights go out completely and then after a while the car just stops running all togethor. If I charge the battery again, it runs fine for a while. Is there any way this could be something other than the alternator? I'm gonna be real pissed if I drop the money for a new alternator and it doesn't work. Or that alternator gets fried somehow?

madmedix · #15 01-05-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_goldsmith

Now that I think about it, I'm also curious to see if anyone thinks the issue might not be my alternator. I'm pretty sure it is though.

The car runs fine when the battery has a fresh charge, but after a while the battery light will come on, then the dash lights and head lights will flicker a bit and the gauges drop in a flickering way. After a while of that, the dash and headlights go out completely and then after a while the car just stops running all togethor. If I charge the battery again, it runs fine for a while. Is there any way this could be something other than the alternator? I'm gonna be real pissed if I drop the money for a new alternator and it doesn't work. Or that alternator gets fried somehow?

1) I'd have to check with my mechanic and where he got it. It's a "clean" casing, meaning no stampings on it etc., so I'm thinking a generic 3rd party item. It fit right in and everything looks the same as the old one, but it is marginally larger. But I haven't had a problem since, I run a lot of toys on her that draw quite a load and my fan/headlamps do not slow down/dim when I pull up to a stop sign anymore...

2) Sounds like you may have something drawing serious current off your battery even when your car is off. This pesky problem is compounded by the need for anti-theft, clock etc that require power 24/7. I'd imagine the power drain for these is in the low milliamp range. I wonder what the amperage reading right off your battery with the car off is? If the reading is high, I'd start pulling a fuse at a time until the reading drops, at least giving you a general idea where the draw is coming from ? This is all assuming your alternator is even producing power (how much does it put out when the engine is running?). If it's not producing voltage or is quite low; the regulator is gone?

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