yesterday, when i got out of school, i drive about 50 miles. during that trip i noticed that when i stopped at a light the engine would idle really low and feel like it was trying to die. on the way back with my headlights on, when i would stop or push my brakes my headlights would dim(never had this problem before, so i knew something was wrong.) I also started smelling belts burning and i heard a very quiet squeeling noise. i didnt think much of it, until i was about 2 miles from my house and i pushed in my clutch to stop, and the truck died. i pulled over and restarted and drove to my house. i then got out and looked at the alternator with a flashlight and the pulley had gotten red hot and wasnt turning. i have a spare alt. at my house im going to put on, but could something else be wrong or should i just replace the alt and go with it? also what is the easiest way to replace the alt? ive heard that you have to pull the lower rad. hose. If anybody knows an easier way, please let me know. i need to get this fixed asap as this is my DD.

 

Sounds like typical alternator protocol.
Yep on lower hose.

If it's OEM have it rebuilt instead of using a reman.

:wabbit2:

 

You can get one out without taking the lower hose out, it just takes a little finanglin

 

You must have small hands because I have never been able to get it out with the lower rad. hose in place.

 

wow, i feel like an idiot. when i was looking at the belts, it was dark outside, and what i thought was the alternator locking up was actually the a/c pump tensioner. I had my dad look at it and he pointed out that the alternator was on the other side and that the tensioner was locked up.

so now my question is, was it a bad decision to cut the a/c pump belt off. I was in a hurry this morning, so i just cut it off to keep it from squeeling. im pretty sure it was only running the a/c and the tensioner (a/c doesnt work anyway). Will this mess something up/ break other belts? thanks in advance.

 

Not a problem.