rarrior23

1997 Honda Civic CX hatch. D16Y7. I got the battery tested at Wal-Mart and it was dead so I replaced it but the problem still persists. I'm guessing it's the alternator, so my question is how hard is it to take the alternator out? Can I do it myself or am I going to have to take it to the shop?

Eran

iTrader: (1)

Alternators are a bitch because of the location. It's something that's easy enough to do, but a lot of people will take it to a shop just to avoid the hassle.

rarrior23

If I did take it to the shop, how much am I looking at?

Eran

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rarrior23 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If I did take it to the shop, how much am I looking at?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It varies shop to shop, but if I recall, it's a 2.5 hour charge.

philosofy1

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rarrior23 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1997 Honda Civic CX hatch. D16Y7. I got the battery tested at Wal-Mart and it was dead so I replaced it but the problem still persists. I'm guessing it's the alternator, so my question is how hard is it to take the alternator out? Can I do it myself or am I going to have to take it to the shop?</TD></TR></TABLE>

if the alternators on a 97 civic the same as a 92-95 civic and/or 86-89 accord, yes they are a pain. if you are good, there are some thing you can remove and work around to get it out (like the 92-95 civic). but if it's liek an accord (and even the civic), it requires you having to remove the axle from the spindle to remove the alternator.

and even then, the space to pull it out is so tight, it's rediculious.

rarrior23

Hmm, I'll have to wait a while or do it myself. Don't get paid 'til Thursday.

milkmanLCA

why dont you check the easy **** before you do that, like battery connection.

rarrior23

I already replaced the battery and checked all the connections.

greenej8

I had the same problem with my 97 ex. Just go to a local electric motor repair shop in your town and they can test your alternator while it's on the car. Depending on the seriousness of it, it may be able to be rebuilt or you may have to purchase a new one. Mine ended up shot dead! +1 on the being a bitch to install. You have to remove the passenger side axle from the hub just to get it out!!!! My uncles shop put mine in so i got hooked up but overall your probably looking at $120-$180 just for shop labor. Completely fixed my problem though so good luck!

ejallday

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by greenej8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> You have to remove the passenger side axle from the hub just to get it out!!!! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Why the passenger side axle? Isn't the alternator on the driverside?

greenej8

Woops my bad your right. I wasn't thinking. It is on the driver's side. It's a pain to work on no matter what!

rarrior23

Would Advance Auto Parts be able to check? I'm in college now and don't know my way around town too well so I'm not sure who's a good mechanic to go to yet.

greenej8

Yeah, I had a friend that works at one check mine. It takes like two minutes! Well, to find out another expense!

rarrior23

I had Advance check it, the alternator was fine so they said its probably a bad ground wire somewhere. Now I have to do some searching. I'm pretty sure its just a bad ground to the stereo so I'll start there. Any other suggestions?