QuestionAs I was driving my 92 F-150 (2-whdrive, 300" straight six, auto, pwr str/brks, a/c) home, I made a stop (engine off, lights still on) & when I came back out (less than 3 minutes), & started the truck, it drug a lil bit as it started, but then ran ok. But truck lights, gauges, radio & about everything else didnt work. I made it about 6 or 7 miles & it died. when i tried the key, the starter just clicked at a fast pace. A Ford mechanic (dealership shirt on) passing by advised I needed to change alternator. As I just got laid-of, I cant afford a garage, but did find a good (& guaranteed) used one for $35 close by. Today, I removed the electric plug from the back-passenger side of the alt, got the 2 bolts off the front bracket, but cant get it to budge. Am I missing something? I'm afraid of loosening too many things. Any other advice for a guy who's a lousy mechanic? Know of a web site with pictures or diagrams that would be helpful? (a good solution would go a long way towards keeping my red-headed wife calmer, lol)
AnswerI have been looking for a website to no avail as of yet. I can tell you this though, you still require parts. For starters, if you plan on replacing the alternator, the Replacement rectifier harness connector has to be replaced. This is not an option, trust me. For some reason, when you change the alternator, using the factory plug, will cause a fire. Yes, a fire. The replacement is pretty fool proof. It comes with black melting wire shrink protecto tape. Second, before you continue, have the battery fully charged and tested. Only load test the battery once though. Load testing can damage the battery, if done too many times. Either way you go, you have a low charged battery, which explains the lack of lights. Third, this may sound like a dumb question, but you did remove the belt, right? Take a look at the new alternator, position it right on top of the old alternator still on the truck. Compare the two, and see if you possibly removed the wrong bolt on accident. That would be my guess. If you remove the correct two bolts, simply take a common tire iron, and wedge it in between the alternator and bracket for removal. You can do the same thing to get the leverage when tightening the belt for proper tension. Print these instructions out, or write them down, they should be as good, if not better than any diagram. If you still find yourself stumped, do this. While you are at the parts store picking up the Replacement rectifier harness connector, crack open one of those 15 dollar repair manuals and take a look at it. If you have to, buy it, keep your hands clean while using it, and return it for a refund since money is tight. If you don't have a trickle charger for the battery, drop it off at the same parts store. If I can be of any other assistance, I will be more than glad to help. Take your time, and try to keep a cool head, you will knock this out, with no problem.
