Alternator Swap - Cannot get rear bolt!! Help!

[HDR]

I'm trying to change the alternator on my 2000 Alero with a 2.4, no matter what I try, I cannot get a socket to fit onto the rear bolt. Part of the alt seems to be blocking it from going in straight. Is there some special tool i need?? Or am I just missing something super simple?

[comanche]

On my 00' Alero 2.4, there are two upper bolts and two lower bolts. I accessed both lower bolts be removing the right fender liner and getting them with a wrench. All you have to do is loosen them, not take them out all the way! (I learned the hard way)

[AGT]

Have you tried a universal joint adapter? I may have the wrong picture in my mind.

[Oldsman]

no special tool needed. just some patience and a wrench. i think the intake manifold gets in the way you just have to work around it.

it's hard to remember being i haven't had the stock setup for like 3 yrs.

[HDR]

I'm an idiot! Been going at the belt tensioner bolt instead of the alt bolt hidden behind the manifold...

Got the alternator out, had it tested, its good. What else can cause my battery to die, and not to even have enough power to keep the engine running when I press the brakes or turn on any lights? By this time, I lose all gauges and anything else that runs on electricty.

[Oldsman]

LOL..................we have days like that.

first i would check connections at the battery and then have have the battery tested. if all that is good maybe have a load test done

[HDR]

Battery was tested, connections super-tightened, alt, battery, connections all good.

[2fst4u]

i would clean up your grounds. that is a common problem as far as electrical systems go.

[Oldsman]

then i would use a meter and see if are getting a short some where. check at the fuse box and the starter.

sounds like you have a short. if you have a stereo system check every single wire for it.

[HDR]

After putting the alt back in, everything seems good. Checked at the alternator and battery with a multimeter, was getting 13.75V, drove around with it connected to the cig lighter plug and the voltage varied from 13.27v to 14.23v at different RPMs and loads. Are these numbers normal?

[2fst4u]

those are normal numbers. especially because it's above 12V.

[HDR]

Ran it again and it dropped to 12.72v suddenly and then dropped to 11.93 volts slowly while driving. What can cause the alternator to suddenly start and stop working? It was still 11v at the alt bolt when I tested it after I got home.

[Oldsman]

maybe bad belt

[HDR]

The alt was spinning fast when I tested it, directly from the alt wire, the belt is new and really tight.

[Oldsman]

does it do good when cold but after it runs for awhile it starts dropping?

if so i would still say alternator.

[HDR]

Can't test anymore, traded alt for core fee. New one works great, so I guess it was the alt. Just wondering if I could have rebuilt it myself with a $40 rebuild kit instead of paying $110 for a new one.