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alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Mr.John187
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Nov 14, 2017, 9:15 PM
Post #1 of 15
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alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Hello guys,
Car is Ford focus 2003 2.0L DOHC 230000 km
So here's my problem. I had noticed the lights dim once in a while but never thought anything of it since it was like over a year and nothing else was happening.
Fast forward to about 4 months ago my belt/tensioner gave out and I died on side of the road due to the battery not getting charged. My father in law messed around with the tensioner gets the belt to be tight enough to resume charge of the battery it lasted about 2 months then I died again on the side of the road. So I change belt and tensioner 2 months ago, everything was fine for about a month except for the fact the engine seemed a little "rattly" kinda weird but not seeming like a misfire type of deal. Then about a month ago I started getting very dim lights unless at 2700+ rpm and a week later getting the alternator light in the dash coming on below 800 rpm. Which I figured was due to the fact the engine seemed a little "Off" compared to before dying the second time. Well couple days ago I took the car to the next city about 30-40km away linked by a 80km/h road which for the most part was enough to keep the battery light off on the way there, but then on the way back it really wasn't even though the rpm was way above 2500. I get to to corner of my street, and the car dies, doesn't turn back on. I let it sit for about 2 hours go to my appointment go back to boost the car, no need to boost it turns right over and starts no problem, I take it down the street about 1km and then it acts up some more. Every time I tried to see if it would work better it kept turning the light on under 1100rpm so I looked online and found out the dimming lights I've had for over a year are a sign of alternator dying. So needless to say I went and got an alternator but given it's old car and I'm broke I got it from a scrapyard.
My question is this. The alternator on this car (and I'm assuming all other cars would too) has some press fit.. (I think sleeves is what they called it on the webpage I looked at to get help on getting the thing to go back on) anyways I'm sure you guys would know what I'm talking about... Lol well.. Those things that the bolts screw into. They are JAMMED in rust both on my old alternator and the "new"one from scrapyard. I can NOT "move them slightly outward" (as instructed by the aforementioned webpage.) For the life of me... I have tried the punch as they suggested, I have tried liquid wrench I am out of ideas and cannot find advice online anywhere. Is there any fail-proof way to get this done you guys would know about by chance ?! I can't afford to get it in the shop on a tow truck nor can I afford taking anymore taxis out of town and can't handle buses due to my back injury. I've been hurting myself on this car for the past 2 days and I really need to figure a way to get the thing back on the road asap. Hopefully you guys can point me into the right direction...
I hope this is enough background info on what happened/what I've tried and stuff, if necessary I can take a picture of the part that's giving me a hard time as well and upload it somewhere so yous can see. Thank you soooo much in advance I really appreciate any help!!
John
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 15, 2017, 4:41 AM
Post #2 of 15
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Have you got the old alternator out? You won't be able to retract the sliding sleeve with the alternator in the car. You need to actually pry the alternator off the bracket with a large screw driver or prybar. Those are not fun because you're up against the firewall.
When the alternator is out to retract the sleeves the easiest way I know is to screw in a longer mounting bolt. Make sure you have it screwed in plenty of the thread. Support the backside of the ear and smack the bolt with a hammer to push the sleeve back. If you don't support the ear, you can snap it off.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 15, 2017, 4:42 AM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 15, 2017, 7:50 AM
Post #4 of 15
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Mr.John187
User
Nov 15, 2017, 11:16 AM
Post #5 of 15
(2134 views)
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Alright. First of all I'd like to say thanks a billion times for the tip it worked like a charm!!! :-) second, I've got a problem, It's been three days since I started working on it and now I can't remember if I unplugged this wire or not, I feel stupid but I figured somebody here should know here's a picture
http://autoforums.carjunky.com/photos/pic/394ka3Vk/1290.jpg
Thanks in advance
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 15, 2017, 12:42 PM
Post #6 of 15
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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IMO that's clearly unplugged IDK what to but it's clean inside and wouldn't be. Find the other end that matches that's so indexed* it would only fit one and just one way - shouldn't be that tricky it's got to be in reach of how far it can travel just make sure wires are out of the way of moving parts as they were,
T
(Edit in explain that word *) Indexed: By that I mean it purposely has a shape and style such that it would fit on anything else or connect unless in the right position
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 15, 2017, 1:23 PM
Post #7 of 15
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Does it plug into the evap purge valve mounted on the firewall?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Mr.John187
User
Nov 15, 2017, 2:46 PM
Post #10 of 15
(2086 views)
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Just one last question.. Lol does anybody know of places where they will buy the core even if you didn't purchase the replacement part from them ?! (Carquest won't unless you bought from them :/ lol
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 15, 2017, 3:01 PM
Post #11 of 15
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Scrap guy will probably give you $1 for it. Nobody else will buy it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Mr.John187
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Nov 15, 2017, 9:01 PM
Post #12 of 15
(2067 views)
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Alright so I finally found the spot where that wire plugs into, but I did start the car before plugging it to see if alternator was pushing the juice fine BEFORE plugging it back in, with full accessory load after a few minutes, ie heater, lights, radio inside lights, the works. Didn't notice a smell as I had both front doors opened, I left the car on with heater for a while to charge battery properly and then left it at that, grabbed my tools and did my things without the car for the rest of the afternoon. Tonight I go to the grocery store and I smelt a weird smell in the car, my question is this, would the fact that this wire was unplugged for a bit cause a weird smell inside the car since I did have the heater on for quite a few minutes ?!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 15, 2017, 9:15 PM
Post #13 of 15
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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I hope you didn't break the heater core in the process of replacing the alternator. Is it a sweet smell?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Mr.John187
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Nov 16, 2017, 12:05 AM
Post #14 of 15
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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Oh no.. I hope not... I guess you could say it kinda is ya... What piece is the heater core and how do you think it could have broken ?! I'm not quite an expert on mechanic work/parts I know the better part of the basic stuff but some things I'm not quite familiar with :/
Could it have anything to do with the coolant level being a little low and diluted a little more than usual ?! (Guess I had a leak of some sort cause I started overheating at some point during summer/first symptoms of the belt slipping and needed to add something, has no coolant so I put water in there...)
I need to do a flush of coolant now that winter is around corner but could it be related ?!
Thanks again for the help I appreciate so much!!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 16, 2017, 5:20 AM
Post #15 of 15
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Re: alternator switch to a used/scrapyard on my ford focus 2003
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There are 2 pipes that protrude through the firewall with the heater hoses attached. If you manhandled those pipes or pushed on them too much it could hae damaged the core.
You need to fill and pressure test the cooling system first to find out what is going on.
You also NEVER should run straight water, summer or winter. It causes the whole cooling system to corrode internally.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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