1994RedVert Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Alright, I was driving my car home the other night and I lost almost all my battery power, had to shut down the stereo, fog lights anything I didn't need just to get the battery guage to climb a little. How hard is it to change the alternator on the 3.4L? I see you might be able to get to it from the passenger wheel well. Why the hell would GM put an alternator in that position, what dumbasses! But, I need to know if anyone has changed this and what all you had to do to get to it and change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxie500XL Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Try this article, it's a "sticky" in the FAQ section... http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php/14457-My-45-minute-3-4-DOHC-alternator-repair-Write-Up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breakdown Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 As an FYI, I've had a number of seemingly alternator issues that were not alternators. Dead battery, and a whole bunch of problems with voltage drops all over the place on the car because of poor grounds. I would cover my bases first. Get the battery in to be checked out and go from there, at least it's reasonably easy to access, and for the love of God if you are going to get the alternator out, please have it bench tested before putting a new one in. Others will have to help with the access to the alternator. I know what you need to do, but not exactly how to do it. BTW . . . read my signature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1994RedVert Posted June 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Thanks you guys. I will check my grounds. How many are there on the car? I guess I can clean them up and get the battery checked first. I love this car but I am tired of my volt meter going from good to no good. But, the ground thing sounds right because usually an alternator just goes. Never had one go from bad to good in two days. But, the battery shouldn't effect anything because once your car is running you are running off the alternator. But, I will check it out. What helped you fix your voltage problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxie500XL Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 I used to have problems with them coming and going on my old LeBaron convertible...the brushes were the problem..the rebuilder didn't do a good job finishing the commutator,and the brushes would "bounce", killing output. Fortunately, I bought a "lifetime" alternator...went through 4 in 110,000 miles. Thanks you guys. I will check my grounds. How many are there on the car? I guess I can clean them up and get the battery checked first. I love this car but I am tired of my volt meter going from good to no good. But, the ground thing sounds right because usually an alternator just goes. Never had one go from bad to good in two days. But, the battery shouldn't effect anything because once your car is running you are running off the alternator. But, I will check it out. What helped you fix your voltage problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1994RedVert Posted June 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 You mean the brushes inside the alternator? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxie500XL Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Yes..but technically, the brushes contact a slip ring, not a commutator... You mean the brushes inside the alternator? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1994RedVert Posted June 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Ok, I am going to try everything you all are telling me. Now my lights dim and everything. And if I speed up to 80 the volts go back up. what do you think this could actually be? The alternator or my grounds? I can check both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Why the hell would GM put an alternator in that position, what dumbasses! Please describe where YOU would put it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1994RedVert Posted June 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Where most cars have it located on the top of the engine easily accessible. Like on the 3.1L engines.I haven't ever seen an alternator in the location that it is in on the 3.4L. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 with the LQ1, to do that, you would need a good extra 6" of hoodspace. the timing components prevent it from being high up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 ram air alternator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxie500XL Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 On my old 3.0 LeBaron convertible, the power steering pump sat where the alternator does on my LQ1...it had a long dipstick tube to allow access to the fluid...the alternator was then put on top, where the power steering pump is on the LQ1...worked pretty well...I never had power steering pump problems on the LeBaron, but went through several alternators... Please describe where YOU would put it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Also check your auxiliary post nut to make sure it hasnt come loose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1994RedVert Posted June 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Also check your auxiliary post nut to make sure it hasnt come loose My Auxillary post nut? Is that the one on the drivers side with the red cap on it that you use to jump the car's battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Yah, I have seen that work itself loose causing a bad connection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1994RedVert Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Ok, I appreciate that. I will check it out and see if that is my problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1994RedVert Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Ok, I tightened the nut around the Battery Terminal post (where you would jump the car), and cleaned the fuses and the fuse box under the hood on the driver side. Car now reads 13+ volts consistently and does not dim when the blinker is on anymore. Thanks for all the help. I will be replacing those fuses under the hood and checking for a new fuse box when I go to the Junk Yard tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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