I was wondering if anyone could shed some insight on an alternator issue that just cropped up yesterday. After no alternator issues since getting the car, I just got it back from Barrie Mitsubushi getting some parts to get the car saftied. They said that my alternator was not charging all the way and I would need a new one soon. Yesterday my battery read at 11.5V and today it read at 10.5V and I could see the dial dropping as I drove until the voltage was so low my guage couldn't read it (under 8V).



I picked up and multi-meter to see what was going on and I tested all four prongs on the alternator for voltage and they were all zero.



Any ideas?
Any suggestions on how to get it out?
If I'm gunna need a new one, any suggestions? Cause im not paying $500 at the dealership.

 

you can pick up a salvage alternator for around $75, check car-part.com...

was the engine turning when you measured? cause if it's not spinning, it's not generating...

 

I measured, he measured, we tried different grounds, different sources of where voltage might be, and yes, the car was running. We had to swap in my battery because his simply ran out of juice. Almost didn't make it back to the parking lot, lol.

If wolf manages to find a new alternator, how do we get this thing off. seemed almost inaccessible with regular tools. Would we have to go at it from under the wheel well via that little panel or is there another way to get at this weirdly positioned cluster of bolts?

 

Should only be two main bolts the nut for the positive wire the belt and the connector doesn't seem that hard although I've never changed one

 

Would just buy new from these guys

http://www.oemmitsubishiparts.com/parts//?siteid=214331

Then you won't have to worrie about it for a long time.

 

Also my alternator is the whole reason I joined EvoM. Had no idea how to get mine out of my 03' Evo:-)

 

I just replaced mine today.

Unplug your battery,
Unplug all 3 wire connections on the alternator,
Remove the 2 bolts that are on the belt side(the actually hold your transmission in place),
there are three screws that hold on pieces of sheet metal that guide wires(2 on top and 1 close to the fan,
then just wiggle the whole thing out(it's tight so you will most likely have to turn it sideways or upside down)

repeat in reverse to install

 

A little different on mine had to take off two of engine mounting bolts and move engine forward and down to clear my big *** Magnus intake :-)

 

Oh yea and remove passenger side axel.

 

Did you buy a OEM one. I bought a Auto Zone one and it didn't last one month and had it go out and blew almost all my lights in the car I/e the HID and side markers. Regulator one alternator went and over charged my system.

 

I too bought an autozone remanufactured alternator.... I hope it doesn't die afetr a month, they said lifetime warranty.

 

Yea I think I got the one bad one. But if it does ever go out in the next couple of years I will just get an OEM one and not have to worry about for an other 85k:-)

 

i have not personally cheanged the alternator yet, but the manual states you need to remove the lower timing cover and a bunch of stuff from the AC compressor...

Did Rob give you the service manual?

 

I didnt get the service manual but i did manage to get the old alternator out and i have to wait until monday for the new one. Managed to get it for 260 with core.

 

i would have went for a salvage unit, but it's good you got it out...did you end up having to disconnect the AC compressor lines?