This website was created to meet the needs of the serious amateur who wants learn and know how to maintain and repair his own car and learn auto repair skills, tips and principles.
The frequency of inspection is determined largely by operating conditions. high-speed operation, high temperatures, and dust and dirt increase the wear on brushes, slip rings, and bearings. At regular intervals, inspect the terminals for corrosion and loose connections and the wiring for frayed insulation. Check the mounting holes for tightness, and the belt for alignment, proper tension, and wear. Belt tension should be adjusted according to the recommendations of the engine or vehicle manufacturer. When increasing belt tension, apply pressure against the stator laminations between the end frames, not against either end frame.
Noise from the alternator may be caused by worn or dirty bearings, loose mounting bolts, a loose drive pulley, a defective diode, or a defective stator.
The frequency of inspection is determined largely by operating conditions. high-speed operation, high temperatures, and dust and dirt increase the wear on brushes, slip rings, and bearings. At regular intervals, inspect the terminals for corrosion and loose connections and the wiring for frayed insulation. Check the mounting holes for tightness, and the belt for alignment, proper tension, and wear. Belt tension should be adjusted according to the recommendations of the engine or vehicle manufacturer. When increasing belt tension, apply pressure against the stator laminations between the end frames, not against either end frame.
Noise from the alternator may be caused by worn or dirty bearings, loose mounting bolts, a loose drive pulley, a defective diode, or a defective stator.
Although there is nothing difficult about removing or installing batteries, a lot of people use the wrong tools and/or a wrong procedure and end up having to buy a new battery.
In removing a battery, always detach the ground cable first. If you attempt to remove the “hot” (ungrounded) cable first, any tool you are using may come into contact with a grounded object. If it does, a very heavy current is drawn from the battery and may cause irreparable damage.
To remove a nut-and-bolt type cable clamp, use either special battery-cable pliers or a box wrench to loosen the clamp nut about 3/8 inch. Do not use ordinary pliers or an open-end wrench. The jaws of the pliers or wrench may swing around and break the cell cover. If the clamp sticks to the battery terminal post, use a clamp puller to remove the clamp. If you use a pry bar or a screwdriver to loosen the clamp, you will place a strain on the terminal post and its attached plates. The plates may break loose or other internal damage that ruins the battery may occur.
To loosen a spring-type cable clamp, squeeze the ends of the prongs together with a wide jaw, vice grip, or channel-lock pliers. The expanded clamp can then be lifted off the post.
To install a battery having a nut-and-bolt type cable clamps, place the clamps over the terminal posts and tighten the nuts with battery-cable pliers or a box wrench. If necessary, use a clamp spreader to spread the cable clamps far enough to ensure full seating of the clamp on the terminal post. Never hammer or force the clamp down on the post since this may break the cell cover or cause internal damage that ruins the battery. And do not over tighten the nuts since this could damage the clamps. When the tightening is completed, there should be some space between the jaws of a clamp. If there is no gap between the jaws, the clamp is probably loose on the terminal post.
Make the battery hold-down clamp “snug” but do not overtighten since this may damage the battery case.