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Car Forum / Saab Cars / June 2004

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Need Help with Alternator Replacement for 1997  900

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Busta - 14 Jun 2004 18:25 GMT
Hello all, I'm new to this group and was wondering if anyone was
familiar with the replacement of an alternator in a 1997 900 2.3L
Non-turbo 4cyc. The dealership did an "AVR" test and said it was nearly
done and I have noticed my battery light coming on as well as the
caution light and constant chiming.
I have ordered the Haynes manual but shipping is 3-5 weeks so I'm
looking for a little help on the process. The bulk of the info I have
found has been for the old style 900's but anyone who knows about a
~1997 could be of great help!

Surely there is a web site out there with a step by step how-to pictures
etc but I can't find it. If you know of a relevant one let me know or if
you have done it, I would love to hear from you!

I have read that when replacing the alternator, you should also replace
some other parts while your at it due to wear although I am not sure
what I need. Any help with this would also be greatly appreciated.
Something about Bushings or Bearings need replacement... Another article
mentioned replacing the Voltage Regulator but for some reason I thought
this model has an internal one within the alternator, any clarification
would be great!

Finally, if you have a scanner and the Green Haynes manual, I would be
in debt to anyone who could send along the relevant pages. My e-mail
account takes an unlimited number of 10 meg (capped) emails.

Thank you very much in advance,

-Andrew

Busta@hfx.andara.com
Dexter J - 14 Jun 2004 20:11 GMT
Salutations:

> Hello all, I'm new to this group and was wondering if anyone was
> familiar with the replacement of an alternator in a 1997 900 2.3L
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Busta@hfx.andara.com

Hey - a relative neighbour! Sorry, no pix - but here's what we did.

You need to remove the wheel well shroud on the pulley side of the engine,
loosen off the main tensioner and belt, use exactly the correct hex key -
which you will likely need to shorten to get in by the frame member - to
draw the alternator bolt and remove the unit.

You will probably find that the bolt is seriously seized and dusty in
there, in which case you need to take your time, hit the bolt at the
threads and collars with seaping oil *extensively* and let it sit
overnight before you have at the bolt again. If you break it or ream the
hex key hole - you are in for a very expensive visit somewhere.

Once you have your alternator in hand and have shot some extra lube in the
holes and collars on the block to loosen up the corrosion left in there -
see if you can rebuild the unit with fresh bearings and internals as it
will likely be cheaper than picking up a fresh one and safer overall than
buying a used/remanufactured unit from an unknown source. I used Rand on
Kempt Rd here in Halifax.

Reverse the process to install - check the tensioner pulley for wobble or
grind and the main belt for condition and you are on the road again for
another 100,000km.

Happy motoring -  whatever you decide I wouldn't let an alternator go very
long as electrical problems in one place tend to burn out components in
another and I'd still check for grounds around the car after the fact to
make sure the alternator didn't fail for a reason.
Busta - 14 Jun 2004 20:49 GMT
Hey Dexter,

Thanks a ton for the info! Drop me an e-mail, I would like to ask you
some specific questions about the job.

Thanks again,

Andrew

> Salutations:
>
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
> components in another and I'd still check for grounds around the car
> after the fact to make sure the alternator didn't fail for a reason.
Dexter J - 14 Jun 2004 21:18 GMT
Salutations:

> Hey Dexter,
>
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
>> components in another and I'd still check for grounds around the car
>> after the fact to make sure the alternator didn't fail for a reason.

Well - not much more to add really, but you can flag me through the site
below if something wierd starts happening. It's pretty much plug and play
with the exception that you will have to shorten the hex (or Allan) key to
get the bolt all the way out.

Be sure to have your radio codes as you need to disconnect the battery and
you will reset.

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J Dexter - webmaster - http://www.dexterdyne.org/
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Busta - 15 Jun 2004 14:20 GMT
Dexter,

I was curious about 2 things in particular, one was the bushings and the
other was the brushes/voltage regulator. The car has 190,000km on it and
I have read when replacing the alternator, its wise to replace the
bushings as well. Did you do this? Do you know how many there are? I
also read there is a bushing for the pulley which may need to be
adjusted if replaced. Any info on this would be helpful.
Also, for the classic 900's, it was possible to take the brushes out and
replace them separately correcting the problem. Worn down brushes no
longer making contact would explain why it stopped working. Any thoughts
on this, or is it even an option in the NG 900's?

Thanks,

Andrew

> Salutations:
>
[quoted text clipped - 59 lines]
> Be sure to have your radio codes as you need to disconnect the battery
> and you will reset.
Dexter J - 15 Jun 2004 14:39 GMT
Salutations:

I don't mess around with alternators themselves for the reasons noted.

You best bet (assuming you haven't let it go too far and damaged the
windings) is to hand the alternator over to a professional with the right
test bench to confirm the workings. Here in Halifax - I used Rand Electric
on Kempt. They rebuilt mine for $200 - I had the bearings and stator
replaced.

They could tell you pretty quickly if you need a new regulator and brushes
as well.

It may still be that your alternator is so far gone that you need a
factory replacement - but - Rand was very cool about providing a solid
estimate before going ahead with the work.

Signature

J Dexter - webmaster - http://www.dexterdyne.org/
all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads
no news no phone in - RealAudio 8+ Required - all the Time

Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day
Mr Louis Jordan - Let The Good Times Roll
http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/190.RAM

> Dexter,
>
[quoted text clipped - 76 lines]
>> Be sure to have your radio codes as you need to disconnect the battery
>> and you will reset.

Signature

J Dexter - webmaster - http://www.dexterdyne.org/
all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads no news no phone
in - RealAudio 8+ Required - all the Time

Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day
Roger Howse - Rocket 88 http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/133.RAM

 
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