Ford alternators are also known as Motorcraft alternators, as Motorcraft is Ford's manufacturing name for new and re-manufactured car parts. Motorcraft makes a variety of new and aftermarket engine parts, such as brakes, belts, fuel pumps and hoses. Its alternators are designed to extend battery life, and are both performance and insulation tested. Re-manufactured alternators, or alternators that have been used and refurbished for new ownership, are thoroughly cleaned, tested, and have new brushes and voltage regulators.
Drive your Ford to a level, well-lit area and shut off the engine. Pull the hood release lever and prop the hood up.
Look at the front of the engine for the alternator. All alternators run off a drive belt located at the front of the engine, even on transverse, four-wheel drive Fords.
Check for a rounded engine component with electrical wires running from it. Alternators have a pulley on the front of them that powers the drive belt. Most alternators are made of aluminum, and have fans inside that are visible through the slots in the alternator, behind the pulley.
Look at the way the engine component is bolted to the engine to make sure it's the alternator. Alternators are typically bolted to the engine in two places. One bolt is adjustable, to tighten or loosen the tension on the belt, and the other bolt attaches to a curved bracket with a long open space inside for locking the alternator in place.
