Alternator how to anjust the fan belt

1995-98 Models

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. Remove the splash guard on the right side of the vehicle.
3. Loosen the alternator belt idler pulley.
4. Slip the drive belt off the alternator pulley.
5. Remove the four air conditioning compressor mounting bolts.
6. Remove the radiator fan and fan shroud.
7. Move the air conditioning compressor forward.
8. Disconnect the alternator harness connector.
9. Remove the alternator mounting bolts, and lower the alternator from the vehicle.

To install:

1. Hold the alternator in place and install the mounting bolts.
2. Plug in the alternator harness connector.
3. Move the air conditioning compressor back into location.
4. Install the radiator cooling fan and shroud.
5. Install the air conditioning compressor mounting bolts.
6. Place the drive belt on the alternator pulley.
7. Tighten the drive belt to the proper tension with the idler pulley.
8. Install the splash guard.
9. Connect the negative battery terminal.

Proper belt tension is important. A belt that is too tight may cause alternator bearing failure; one that is too loose will cause a gradual battery discharge and/or belt slippage, resulting in belt breakage from overheating.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

The different engine applications that the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable are equipped with utilize different types of alternators. The following is a list of vehicle applications. For 1986-90 vehicles:

The 3.0L and the 3.8L engines utilize a side terminal alternator.

The 2.5L and the 3.8L (with Police Package only) engines utilize an alternator with an integral rear mount regulator and an internal fan.

The 3.0L SHO engines utilize an alternator with an internal fan and regulator.For 1991-93 vehicles:

The 2.5L, 3.0L and 3.8L engines utilize an alternator with a rear mount regulator and an internal fan.

The 3.0L and 3.2L SHO engines utilize an alternator with an internal regulator and fan.For 1994-95 vehicles:

The 3.0L, 3.8L and 3.0L SHO engines utilize an alternator with a rear mount regulator and an internal fan.

The 3.2L SHO vehicles utilize an alternator with a internal regulator and fan.


1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Loosen the alternator pivot bolt, then remove the adjusting bolt.
3. Remove the alternator drive belt from the drive pulley.
4. Tag and disengage the wiring terminals from the back of the alternator. The stator and the field wiring are the push-on type of retainer. After depressing the lock tab, the connector should be pulled straight off of the terminal to prevent damage.
5. Remove the alternator pivot bolt, then remove the alternator from the engine.
6. Position the alternator on the engine.
7. Install the alternator pivot bolt and the adjusting bolt, but do NOT tighten the bolts until the drive belt it tensioned.
8. Engage the wiring terminals to the alternator, as tagged during removal.
9. Install the drive belt over the alternator drive pulley, then adjust the belt tension using Belt Tension Gauge 021-00019, or equivalent.

When adjusting belt tension, apply pressure on the front housing only.

10. Tighten the adjusting bolt to 30-45 ft. lbs. (41-61 Nm), then tighten the pivot bolt to 50-70 ft. lbs. (68-94 Nm).
11. Connect the negative battery cable.


Hope helps.

You shouldn't have to remove the fan in order to replace the alternator or belt.

It sounds like the alternator is not properly lined up. You had the belt on right the first time. Put it back on and before you start the truck check the alignment on the belt. From the side of the truck look down thw belt to the fan pulley and see if you notice a slight bend, or use a straight edge to do the same thing. Also sight down the belt to the crank for the same thing. Yoiu may have to shim out the alternator brackets to get the belt in line with the other pulleys. Hope this helps.

Hello, first of all disconet your battery. Then locate your alternator and remove the wiring. You will then see two bolts, one is for your fan belt adjustment, take this bolt out and dont loose it. The second bolt is much longer, this is the bolt that allows you to move your alternator back and forth so that you can tighten your fan belt. Remove this and as you pull it out hold onto yoour alternator as it will now come out. You then position new alternator sliding long bolt back in place. Do it up but not tightly at this point. Replace the smaller bolt and make sure that you put your fan belt back on. Pull the alternator tighly onto the fan belt before tightening the smaller bolt. Once the fan belt is tight you can then tighten the long bolt. Reconct your wiring, reconect you battery and you should be right to go. If theres a squealing sound when you start the car you may have to retighten your fan belt, you dont need to take any wiring off to do this. I hope this is helpfull.

The belt goes to flywheel, radiator cooling fan and alternator. It does not go to a/c depending on what engine configuration.

you have a bad belt or tensioner for your alternator and fan and probably wtaer pump. Get it replaced and the belt adjusted.

There are two (2) belts total. The power steering belt also goes around the fan/alternator. Double pulley on the alternator/fan, single pulley on power steering pump. The power steering pump mounts above the alternator on the left side of the engine.

1. Remove battery terminals and secure them away from the battery posts using nylon wire ties.

1a. Fine some comfortable eye glasses (clear or yellow) and keep them on. There are plenty of opportunities to get debris in your eyes during this procedure.

2. Spray "PB Blaster" (loosens bolts) on two bolts that secures alternator.

3. Jack-up vehicle on side to access alternator. Use a jackstand to support.

4. Using a 10mm open-ended wrench, loosen the bolt that swings the alternator. Screwing the bolt "in" or toward the engine will allow play to increase in the alternator belt. Loosen the 12mm bolt slightly next to the 10mm bolt (approximately 1.5" toward engine).

5. Continue to loosen 10mm bolt until there is enough slack in the belt to remove the belt from the alternator pulley.

6. Remove belt. It may be possible to remove belt without removing fan faring. Maybe not. If not, you will need to remove plastic fairing. If you must remove fair, go below fan fairing and disassemble connectors that hold together pieces of fan fairing. Carefully remove.

7. Install alternator fan from above.

8. Check that alternator belt is on all tracks (from below with a flashlight), and slowly tighten.

9. Secure 10mm and 12mm bolts. Recheck tightness.

10. Reassemble battery connection and run vehicle at idle for about 5 minutes. Check belt for proper tension.

11. CAREFULLY check tension of belt. Or disassemble battery connections and re-check belt tension.

12. Reassemble fan fairing (if not already assembled), re-connect battery terminals, and have a nice day. :-)