Im looking to see if anyone around here would know anything about car alternators, and if the might be able to fix mine. I have a 99 Suzuki esteem, and to my knowledge the alternator is seized. also if anyone knows if another alternator would fit this car (from past experience maybe?) it would be nice. seeing as a new alternator is 280, and id rather not spend that on it.

I am.

I donno about one that will match the bolt pattern though off hand.

Vance Haynes, R&R Kinsmans, And one in eastern passage. I'm sure you can find one here.

Putting a new alt on is really easy considering it's a plug and a couple bolts, heh.

For one - if you bring in your non working one - you will get a discount on a new one.

Also - ask for a refurb - they are alot cheaper and work fine. Ask them at Canadian Tire

I don't find they are cheap at all at crappy tire especially for a exchange / refurb.

Even junkyards offer atleast a 30 day warranty on their parts and one from there will probably last the span of the rest of the vehicles life.

Make sure you get a bigger alternator than you have now. If you can get a 100amp+ one, do it.

This can work with your car.

If you have a AC unit you probably already have had the highest amperage one that came with that trim.

If not a AC model for your car will bolt up.

Well i just got the car, and it had been sitting for around 1.5 years, hence the seized alt. I havent been around to checking junkyards, but i did check one and they had no esteems. It had a 70 amp alt, i dont need exact bolt patterns, im just looking for similar so it wont need much modification. and the only 2 things crappy tire had listed for esteem alts were new one and it was 279. or 269 if i brought in my old core.

wow a 10 dollar rebate..

Personally if you have a drill with some carbide bits you can basically pick up any alt and bolt one on. Space depending of course.

So that's what i would do in your situation.

You can get carbide bits from any tool shop for about 10 bucks a piece. You will probably only need one to make 2 -4 holes. I think when I built a turbo manifold out of cast iron I used one bit for 4 holes. So you should definitely be alright.

If you need help with this process gimme a shout and we'll take a looksee.

B

only 10 bucks? no wonder they got the name crappy tire.

Sweet, thanks guys, but ill look around for a esteem alt, if needed ill get a different one. because if it only comes down to like a 10 or 20$ difference ill spend the 20 for no hassle on bolting up.

That model would use a "nippondenso" brand alternator (like a lot of toyotas).
You won't find a cheap new one, no matter how hard you look.
And I'd assume these were only equipped with a 60-70 amp model.
First place I'd start is with a long 1/2" drive breaker bar and the right size 6 point shallow impact socket. Crank on the bolt that holds the pulley on in the direction the alternator would turn normally. If it has only seized because it was sitting it would be your brushes that are stuck...they'll snap free. Most of the time they snap free and you are good to go; sometimes they snap free and thats the end of your alternator. Either way, it costs you nothing but a few borrowed tools and some elbow grease to try, and it has worked plenty of times for me.

Thanks sampson, it is that brand you listed, and im not sure if it would "snap free" so easily. my friends dad (who i bought it from) said he tried to start the car last septemeber and it just sheared the belt. i was planing on taking apart the alt and soaking it with wd40 before i opted for a new one anyways, i probably should have said that.

For you application the belt that drives the alternator would be a serpentine belt, so you can lift the the belt tensioner and slide the belt off the alternator before you break it free. I've done it plenty of times, and if its something that can wait until the weekend I could probably give you a hand; however there is always the possibility of breaking the alternator in the process. I wouldn't recommend soaking the alternator in WD40 or any form of penetrating lubricant as it will ultimately ruin the seals on the bearings and can cause a whole host of nasty problems internally.

Fucck, my internet is pissing me off. I had a paragraph writen and it didnt post. it was basically im 15, and the car is at my friends house, i assume they wouldnt want strangers there. i havent soaked anything with WD40 yet. the bolt is still seized on the alternator, and the belt for the alternator only turns the alt and water pump. no tensioner, the belt was already sheared because my friends dad tried to start it when it was seized and it didnt break free from the engines power.

Oh, I see.
Not really looking for someone who is "mechanically inclined" then it would seem.
Maybe some other time.