Can you change pulleys on an alternator?
In many cases it is possible to remove and install the overrunning alternator pulley while the alternator is still on the engine. The plastic protective cap cannot be re-used after it has been removed from the pulley. A replacement cap is supplied with the new part.
What is a freewheel alternator pulley?
A Freewheel pulley is the mechanical link between the alternator and the engine output crankshaft pulley. The pulley drives the alternator which allows the battery to be recharged. The Overrunning Alternator Pulley (OAP), also called the freewheel pulley, is a spare part of the complete alternator.
What does an alternator freewheel clutch do?
As opposed to traditional solid pulleys, they allow the alternator to “free-wheel” or “overrun” every time the engine decelerates and, at the same time, dampen vibrations at the alternator. They come in two types: one-way clutches (OWCs) and overrunning alternator decouplers (OADs).
What is overrunning alternator pulley?
The overrunning alternator pulley is a further development of the fixed belt pulley on the alternator. Thanks to its overrunning clutch, it damps the vibrations which are generated by cyclic irregularities in the crankshaft and also enables the engine speed to be reduced rapidly in the event of sudden load changes.
How do I know if my alternator pulley is bad?
If you ever hear growling or whining noises coming from under the hood, you could have alternator problems, which should be checked out by a professional ASAP. This growling or whining sound happens when the belt that turns the alternator’s pulley becomes misaligned or rubs against the side of the pulley.
How do I know if my alternator decoupler pulley is bad?
Diagnosis is fairly simple: look, listen and feel It should not be fluttering, dithering or vibrating excessively. Look for signs of grease around the pulley indicating a bad seal. If you can get a view inside the alternator, the rotor should continue to spin down when you shut off the engine.
Is the alternator supposed to spin?
Registered. Alternator should be spinning when the engine spin because it is connected by the pulley and belt -unlike A/C compressor it has a magnetic clutch.
What causes alternator pulley to go bad?
My car has an automatic transmission. Pulleys do go bad because the grease in the pulley bearing dries out, the ball bearings and bearing races get pitted and then the pulley becomes noisy. Sometimes, the pulley will actually seize. However, it will be EASILY evident if a pulley bearing is bad.