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Delco-Remy began manufacturing alternators more than a century ago, and has packed that 100 years of experience and improvements into a component part used in machinery ranging from automobiles to windmills. Despite Delcos efforts, problems with alternators do occur

Bad Connection

If the battery in your vehicle is discharging, but the alternator tests good at a repair facility, the problem may be a bad connection. Remove corrosion and grime at the mounting points, since rust and grease will block an electrical current. Clean the terminals of your alternator thoroughly, and clean the connectors of the power output wires. The online automotive advice service AA1.com advises doing these checks before looking at anything else to eliminate one of the most overlooked problems -- a poorly grounded alternator.

Sensing Trouble

Listen and look to detect trouble in the alternator. Turn the engine on. Listen for whining or screeching noises coming from the alternator. If you hear screeching, make sure the source of the noise is the alternator, and not a loose belt. If the belt is tight, turn the engine back on. Noise from an alternator indicates the bearings are bad. Turn the engine off. Look at the alternator closely. Look for burn or scorch marks on the rear vents. This indicates the alternator is burning out. Smell (yes, smell) the alternator. If you smell a slightly sweet burned smell almost like burnt sugar, the alternator is burning out.

If either condition is present, disconnect the battery. Disconnect the alternator wires, and remove the alternator. You can take it to a garage for further evaluation if youre not sure if there is a problem, however its best to replace the alternator if any of the conditions are present. Rebuilding an alternator requires tools and knowledge normally beyond that of the average home mechanic.

One-Wire System

No need to get confused because your Delco alternator only has one wire. Many Delcos are called "one-wire" because they have just one output wire. The control circuitry is built into the alternator, eliminating the need for outside voltage regulation. To install, just ground the casing, which is the negative. The single red wire is positive and must connect to the positive terminal of the battery.

A belt tensioner is a spring-loaded device on some engines that holds a specific amount of tension on the serpentine drive belt or accessory belt while the engine is in motion. Too much tension on the belt can stretch it, causing the belt to weaken, while too little tension can cause the belt to squeak and whine. The belt tensioner makes it relatively easy to remove the belt from your vehicle if you need to perform maintenance on any of the components the belt drives, such as the alternator.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of your vehicle and locate the alternator and the belt that drives the alternator. Find the belt tensioner for the alternator belt.

2

Place the box-end of a wrench around the bolt on the belt tensioner. Choose a wrench that properly fits the bolts so it does not slip.

3

Pull the wrench counterclockwise to draw back the belt tensioner (compressing the spring) arm and release tension on the belt. Continue holding the belt tensioner and remove the belt.

4

Turn the belt tensioner clockwise slowly to return to its normal position (allowing the spring to relax).

5

Pull the belt tensioner arm counterclockwise to reinstall the belt. Route the belt along the pulleys following the belt-routing diagram for your vehicle. Check under your hood for the belt-routing diagram; consult your service manual if you are not able to find it.

6

Turn the belt tensioner clockwise slowly, with the belt rerouted along the appropriate path, allowing the tensioner arm to draw the belt taut.