ALternator quest....

[DTolo]

So I got the old one out and put the new alternator in. THe catch, I can't seem to pull up the alternator high enough to tighten it properly. I started the car and it squeeled horribly and then I heard a grind. THe blades on the alternator were hitting the support piece that has the adjustable bolt slot. ANy ideas?

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

Sounds like you got the wrong alternator. Compare the part number on the new one with the old one. Is there any way you can swap the pulleys?

[joe18tbo112]

if it's manually adjustable, you might need to replace the belt if it's too loose.

[DTolo]

I mean I physically can't pull the alter. up to tighten it any more. I have a replacemnt Bosch the original was a motorola. I turned in the motorola as the core. I got it from a vw shop in Laguna Niguel on crown valley and Forbes. The length of the pulley seems to be exactly where it needs to be. I might just take the, wait, TOW the car up to their shop and have them fix it, if they gave me the wrong alter then they can deal with it. When pulling out and puttin in the alternator, Removing the Radiator is easier than pulling and prying by the way.

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

take the belt into a parts store, have them measure it and give you a belt that's a few centimeters shorter.

[DTolo]

I think I might just tow it in to the place that sold me the alternator and have them fix it. My quests of trying to fix things and not getting it done correctly the first time are getting expensive.

[DTolo]

yayyy. got the alternator in properly and no squeeiling. the person who had the car before me had the adjustment arm tightened to the front of the alt. it is supposed to be on the back of the face of the alternator. I fixed that and did some prying in key places and it work just fine. I might still be noob but I am learnin!!!