I have a 2000 Focus, and not much mechanical aptitude. Wondering how
difficult it is to install a new alternator. Is it simple like my
husband's '82 Ford F-100 pickup?
We don't have a Haynes manual for the Focus, but if it's similar to the
truck, we follow the same procedure as if we are installing a new belt
(?).
I don't want to spend $300 to pay a shop that won't let me bring them
salvage parts. I can get a used alternator for $80, and take it to a
shop with a new belt, and get it done a lot less expensive.
I know this is a dirty job, but I'm poor :+)
Thanks for any input/ideas Valerie paulmbedard@earthlink.net
similar procedure, just a much tighter area to work in. I haven't done this
on my focus yet but from what I remember looking at mine just incase I would
ever have to change mine, it doesn't look to difficult, just a pain in the
butt.
<paulmbedard@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:1122177478.723764.152640@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I have a 2000 Focus, and not much mechanical aptitude. Wondering how
> difficult it is to install a new alternator. Is it simple like my
> husband's '82 Ford F-100 pickup?
> We don't have a Haynes manual for the Focus, but if it's similar to the
> truck, we follow the same procedure as if we are installing a new belt
> (?).
> I don't want to spend $300 to pay a shop that won't let me bring them
> salvage parts. I can get a used alternator for $80, and take it to a
> shop with a new belt, and get it done a lot less expensive.
> I know this is a dirty job, but I'm poor :+)
> Thanks for any input/ideas Valerie paulmbedard@earthlink.net
>
"The Saltman" <kms1969@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:8yOEe.41$aT1.38@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
> similar procedure, just a much tighter area to work in. I haven't done
> this on my focus yet but from what I remember looking at mine just incase
> I would ever have to change mine, it doesn't look to difficult, just a
> pain in the butt.
>
>
> <paulmbedard@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:1122177478.723764.152640@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>I have a 2000 Focus, and not much mechanical aptitude. Wondering how
>> difficult it is to install a new alternator. Is it simple like my
>> husband's '82 Ford F-100 pickup?
>> We don't have a Haynes manual for the Focus, but if it's similar to the
>> truck, we follow the same procedure as if we are installing a new belt
>> (?).
>> I don't want to spend $300 to pay a shop that won't let me bring them
>> salvage parts. I can get a used alternator for $80, and take it to a
>> shop with a new belt, and get it done a lot less expensive.
>> I know this is a dirty job, but I'm poor :+)
>> Thanks for any input/ideas Valerie paulmbedard@earthlink.net
>>
>==
I'm not an expert either, but with small hands how can you go wrong? It's
just plug and play. Like Microsoft only designed by intelligent people. LOL
If you screw up, just recharge your battery and drive to a garage. I know
what you mean by poor. I was once but now I am retired, I am REALLY poor.
VBG
Geoff.
>
<paulmbedard@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:1122177478.723764.152640@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I have a 2000 Focus, and not much mechanical aptitude. Wondering how
> difficult it is to install a new alternator. Is it simple like my
> husband's '82 Ford F-100 pickup?
> We don't have a Haynes manual for the Focus, but if it's similar to the
> truck, we follow the same procedure as if we are installing a new belt
> (?).
> I don't want to spend $300 to pay a shop that won't let me bring them
> salvage parts. I can get a used alternator for $80, and take it to a
> shop with a new belt, and get it done a lot less expensive.
> I know this is a dirty job, but I'm poor :+)
> Thanks for any input/ideas Valerie paulmbedard@earthlink.net
>
I had mine done last summer and I watched a seasoned mechanic take 4 hours
to the job. The book called for 2 hours labor. He had to undo a motor
mount then raise and lower the car about a half dozen times to lift and
lower the motor on the passenger side. He did say that anything that could
go wrong went wrong. He had to deal with some corrosion on some of the
connections. I wish you the best of luck but it sure looked like something
I would avoid.
"EOO" <whereeverforever.com> wrote in message
news:Y9GdnQCaaJiFcH7fRVn-1Q@comcast.com...
>
> <paulmbedard@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:1122177478.723764.152640@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>I have a 2000 Focus, and not much mechanical aptitude. Wondering how
>> difficult it is to install a new alternator. Is it simple like my
>> husband's '82 Ford F-100 pickup?
>> We don't have a Haynes manual for the Focus, but if it's similar to the
>> truck, we follow the same procedure as if we are installing a new belt
>> (?).
>> I don't want to spend $300 to pay a shop that won't let me bring them
>> salvage parts. I can get a used alternator for $80, and take it to a
>> shop with a new belt, and get it done a lot less expensive.
>> I know this is a dirty job, but I'm poor :+)
>> Thanks for any input/ideas Valerie paulmbedard@earthlink.net
>>
> I had mine done last summer and I watched a seasoned mechanic take 4 hours
> to the job. The book called for 2 hours labor. He had to undo a motor
> mount then raise and lower the car about a half dozen times to lift and
> lower the motor on the passenger side. He did say that anything that
> could go wrong went wrong. He had to deal with some corrosion on some of
> the connections. I wish you the best of luck but it sure looked like
> something I would avoid.
IT'S REALLY NOT A BIG JOB. Undo a plug, a few bolts, That's it.
Come on now guys. Don't make it seem like a major job.
Geoff.
"" wrote:
> I have a 2000 Focus, and not much mechanical aptitude.
> Wondering how
> difficult it is to install a new alternator. Is it simple like
> my
> husband's '82 Ford F-100 pickup?
> We don't have a Haynes manual for the Focus, but if it's
> similar to the
> truck, we follow the same procedure as if we are installing a
> new belt
> (?).
> I don't want to spend $300 to pay a shop that won't let me
> bring them
> salvage parts. I can get a used alternator for $80, and take
> it to a
> shop with a new belt, and get it done a lot less expensive.
> I know this is a dirty job, but I'm poor :+)
> Thanks for any input/ideas Valerie
> paulmbedard@earthlink.net
I just installed a new alternator in my girl friends car.. The job
takes a little bit.. But you have to remove the antifreeze tank, power
steering reservior, a small ground. The alternator must be in a
certain position to take it out.. but I can be done... Took me about 4
hours... I wish you luck...
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