D3 Alternator Replacement

**Geedublya** · 24th April 2013, 03:04 PM

So my alternator decided that instead of charging the battery it would flatten it. It took about 10 minutes and pulled the battery down to 2 volts, somehow it even dragged my second battery down to 7.5 volts even though it is isolated.

Nothing works on a D3 when the battery is totally flat. The park brake is locked on, the transmission is stuck in park and you can only open the front passenger door. When your second battery is flat also you can't even use that to power up the computers to allow you access to things.

It took a while to convince the NRMA guy to hook his battery up to the fusebox to allow me to get it into park and unlock all the doors. Thankfully I'm in NRMA Premium care and I got a tilt tray home with the camper trailer in tow and my wife and 3 year old in the crew cab.

I've rung around and most mechanics want $900-1000 to supply and install the new alternator. After looking at it's placement I suspect access is a problem.

I can source a new one for $440 and I'm wondering if anyone has experience swapping it out and if there is anything I need to be aware of?
Do you think it is possible to do without a hoist and is it difficult to install the serpentine belt?

**101RRS** · 24th April 2013, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Geedublya

So my alternator decided that instead of charging the battery it would flatten it. It took about 10 minutes and pulled the battery down to 2 volts, somehow it even dragged my second battery down to 7.5 volts even though it is isolated.

Nothing works on a D3 when the battery is totally flat. The park brake is locked on, the transmission is stuck in park and you can only open the front passenger door.

Did you get any dash indications that the alternator had died before it also drained the battery.

You know that you can manually release the handbrake and manually move out of Park.

Garry

**Hoges** · 24th April 2013, 03:23 PM

As it happens, a friend asked me about this same issue the other day!!

FWIW: DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Alternator replacement guide (please) also, follow up on some of the links therein for more info. Theres a reference to refitting with Denso parts.. interesting!

cheers

**Geedublya** · 24th April 2013, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

Did you get any dash indications that the alternator had died before it also drained the battery.

You know that you can manually release the handbrake and manually move out of Park.

Garry

No dash indications. Parked it to get some lunch came back in 10 minutes to find it wouldn't unlock.
Manual release of park brake is a pain in the arse especially when you don't have the original jack handle. It wouldn't come out of park until I powered it back up.

**101RRS** · 24th April 2013, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Geedublya

No dash indications. Parked it to get some lunch came back in 10 minutes to find it wouldn't unlock.
Manual release of park brake is a pain in the arse especially when you don't have the original jack handle. It wouldn't come out of park until I powered it back up.

No Dash indications seems to be the norm - in the good ole days the alternator light would come on - shame it doesn't in the D3/D4.

A little while ago someone put a post as part of another thread on how to get the car out of Park in a power failure. I think it involves removing the solenoid next to the gear lever but I cannot remember. A search does not show the post.

Garry

sheerluck · 24th April 2013, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

No Dash indications seems to be the norm - in the good ole days the alternator light would come on - shame it doesn't in the D3/D4.

A little while ago someone put a post as part of another thread on how to get the car out of Park in a power failure. I think it involves removing the solenoid next to the gear lever but I cannot remember. A search does not show the post.

Garry

It was me who posted.

If you pop the gear selector surround off, there is a white tab underneath, to the rear. Press that down, and you'll be able to move it out of park.

**101RRS** · 24th April 2013, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by sheerluck

It was me who posted.

If you pop the gear selector surround off, there is a white tab underneath, to the rear. Press that down, and you'll be able to move it out of park.

Thanks for that - your post is the only one I have ever seen on this - maybe putting it in the FAQs will keep it for prosperity.

Garry

sheerluck · 24th April 2013, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

Thanks for that - your post is the only one I have ever seen on this - maybe putting it in the FAQs will keep it for prosperity.

Garry

It was in the D3/D4 Auto Transmission FAQs thread Garry.

Probably worth sticking it in the standard FAQ too though.

**Canaussie** · 24th April 2013, 05:51 PM

I'm curious what dual battery set up you are using?

Tombie · 24th April 2013, 08:15 PM

Sorry to hear of your dramas.

however... If it (alternator) wasn't charging its odds on the secondary battery was already discharged - and not a result of the diode failure.

If you weren't getting charge the isolator wasn't going to link.

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