removing 93 alternator

[Previologist]

Removing the alternator on my 93 junk van to open up for an inspection lesson. I have all the top bolts/brackets out and wires removed or cut. and the long bottom bolt is out. It moved freely side to side but won't come up. Parts diagram doesn't seem to show anything else holding it in, so I'm guessing its kinda stuck on the lower swivel point of the housing and just needs a stronger upward wiggle and pull than I have been able to provide thus far. . Can anyone confirm? I can't get under the van to look any more....

[TCR10]

I remove the battery for better access to the alternator. A gentle pry and/or a few taps on a block of wood on the case should free it up. The alternator case is prone to corrosion which may be contributing to its stubbornness. I'll be interested to learn what your inspection reveals. I've added a voltage gauge to our Previa to monitor the alternator. I wonder if it would be worthwhile to do remove it and do some preemptive maintenance like brushes or bearings to it.

[Previologist]

This is my parts van so the battery is long gone. I just want to get inside and see what there is to see to prepare myself for possibly doing the same on my 97. I've never been inside one before. I had to pull the hood off the 93 last year to put it on the 97, and I don't want the alternator to get damaged by the elements if it isn't already. I don't even know if it works, I remember when I picked up the van for parts it was running but had some sort of charging issue but since I never drove it I never bothered to diagnose it. Its not interchangeable with my 97 but I'm just looking to learn something and save it. Maybe some of the internals are interchangeable, IDK.

[Previologist]

Got her out with the crow end of a crow bar, prying against the PS pump

[Previologist]

Got the brushes, regulator and diode assembly out, and what do you know...there they are. The brushes look good, I don't think I can test the regulator, and I know I can't test the diode assembly. The alternator appears to be an OEM unit. I suppose now I need to call around and see if I can find anyone who can bench test this and my 97 unit, and if I'm lucky maybe one of those parts is bad on my 97 and can be replaced with one from the 93. I don't often get lucky when it comes to this van.

[tbuyan]

Just about any auto parts store (NAPA, Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, etc.) can bench test your alternator

[Previologist]

i wouldn't let anyone at my Oreilly's test anything electrical, they know nothing. But I just got back from another parts store where there are people I trust who can do it. But even they don't seem to know how to interpret the results to diagnose a bad diode or regulator for example. I'm going to take the 93 in today and see what sort of results it does spit out. Presumably someone like Tim or some others here can interpret it?

[Previologist]

eh, crap. Can't even test this 93 because the pulley is frozen. Oh well I can test the 97 and try swapping parts if needed, and if they fit. I will probably find out that my 97 has a cheap aftermarket on it. I should have paid closer attention when I tore the front end off last year

[Previologist]

I pulled the 97 and took it to the parts store and their $5000 tester declared it "Good," although it was only putting out 13.1v. Not sure that's good enough for me and my problems.

I pulled the brushes and while they are more worn than the 93's were, they do not look badly worn. Nevertheless I will probably replace them with new ones. But first I will switch the 93 brushes in, and have it tested again just for giggles. The diodes looked fine, except that the gray coating was in various states of falling apart around the bases. No signs of desoldering or burning.