Corsa B 1.7D Alternator change - easy job?

Corsa B 1.7D Alternator change - easy job?

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Discussion

eltax91

Original Poster:

10,049 posts

213 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
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Hi folks

My brothers Mrs has a Corsa B with the N/A 1.7 Diesel engine. The car failed to start last week, and a new battery was fitted, today, it has lost all charge again and the AA man has confirmed that the Alternator is up the spout.

so, in interests of getting her back on the road cheaply, is this a DIY job or a pain in the backside? just wondering how easy it will be for the two of us to do an alternator. We are accustomed to basic services, brakes and suspension, but have no idea how complex it is and have no Haynes for it!

any thoughts greatly appreciated. smile

Gareth350

1,556 posts

186 months

Friday 22nd January 2010
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Piece of cake, buy an alternator with the vacuum pump already on the back, costs a little more but the hassle of removing it from your old unit & getting it to seal on the new unit can be a pain in the harris!!

bluebrakes

9 posts

175 months

Monday 3rd January 2011
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I did one today.
It is easy as far as connecting it all up and removing/installing belts.
So i'll write this for future reference for people.

The best way i found was....

+ put car onto axle stands + disconnect battery.

+remove intake pipe (which screws to front of car and goes to airbox). one screw and pushed into airbox

+ slacken off and remove power steering pump belt. One 14mm bolt just by pump pulley. mark the direction on it for when you come to install it again. Remove bolt.

+ slacken off alternator belt, same as Power steering except a 12mm bolt.
+ Disconnect electrical plugs going to alternator (one two pin plug and one positive power terminal).
+ Place newspaper down underneath car by alternator and disconnect hoses on vacuum pump on alternator. A little oil will come out but not much.

+ Drop driver's side of the front Anti roll bar. four 10mm nuts.

+ remove tension bolt and power steering pump pivot bolt. 14mm. and pull off pivot (this is just to make some clearance for alternator

+ remove the tensioner 12mm bolt I mentioned to loosen earlier.

+ remove the two 14mm bolts holding the alternator on the pivot.

+ at this point, you should be able to pull the alternator away and with a little wiggling, drop it through the gap where the anti roll bar is.

+ install the new alternator with instructions in reverse order.



Edited by bluebrakes on Monday 3rd January 19:35

H100S

1,436 posts

180 months

Saturday 15th January 2011
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Inspect the ign switch while you are at it. Knackered alt normally screws this up too.

jagracer

8,248 posts

243 months

Saturday 15th January 2011
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I know this is a year old but I'd be interested to know if the problem was solved with a new alternator. One problem with some diesel Vauxhalls of this era is with the glow plugs staying on permanently, mainly caused by the temp sensor in the head or thermostat housing failing. I have a 1.5D Corsa and went through 2 alternators and 3 batteries before an AA man (who knew what he was doing) found the real problem.