94 Cutty 3.4L Alternator going bad! Need help with changing it out!

[1994RedVert]

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.

[Galaxie500XL]

Try this article, it's a "sticky" in the FAQ section...

http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php...epair-Write-Up

[Breakdown]

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.

[1994RedVert]

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?

[Galaxie500XL]

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?

[1994RedVert]

You mean the brushes inside the alternator?

[Galaxie500XL]

Yes..but technically, the brushes contact a slip ring, not a commutator...

You mean the brushes inside the alternator?

[1994RedVert]

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.

[Schurkey]

Why the hell would GM put an alternator in that position, what dumbasses!

Please describe where YOU would put it.

[1994RedVert]

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.

[RobertISaar]

with the LQ1, to do that, you would need a good extra 6" of hoodspace. the timing components prevent it from being high up.

[GOT2B GM]

ram air alternator

[Galaxie500XL]

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.

[AL]

Also check your auxiliary post nut to make sure it hasnt come loose

[1994RedVert]

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?