1994 Accord LX Alternator Brush Assembly
#31
01-27-2011 | 04:04 AM
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 36
I cannot do it until this Sunday when I am off and when all of the parts are here. I am going to do it on the used ones I just bought on Ebay.
Actually, it's not my idle. The idle struggles only when both the AC and lights are running. With just either one, the idle is stable. The idle increases slightly with either accessories running.
I'll see what I can do. Lakers vs. Boston this Sunday too and it gets dark fast now day.
I want to take my time on this alternator.
Thanks.
Actually, it's not my idle. The idle struggles only when both the AC and lights are running. With just either one, the idle is stable. The idle increases slightly with either accessories running.
I'll see what I can do. Lakers vs. Boston this Sunday too and it gets dark fast now day.
I want to take my time on this alternator.
Thanks.
So you managed to replace that brush kit on the alternator? How did you do it? If you get around 14.5V with the engine running and with different electric loads, that indicates that the alternator is charging about right. I, too, notice slight drop on the idle RPM with sudden increase in electric load, such as headlights and rear window defroster, but not as extreme as yours. I get your kind of idle drop more when I turn on A/C during idle than when I turn on the headlights. I think it's more a matter of idle adjustment than alternator issue. The older the car gets, the rougher the idle gets unfortunately. Cleaning the fuel injector might help.
#32
01-28-2011 | 05:08 PM
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 36
How do you guys remove the brush without stripping the 2 screws? I have used WD40 and the screws are kinda rounded off already. What is the best way to remove them now? I just got a used alternator and neither is looking good physically as with rust and other stuffs on them. I want to clean them off a little before installing it. I need to remove the screws for the brush. I bought 2 used ones. One of them the plastic around the plugs are all broken off. Not even sure it's safe to install this one with broken plastic around the plugs. What do you guys think?
I got to go to work now but I'll give it another try tomorrow to remove the brush screws.
Thanks.
I got to go to work now but I'll give it another try tomorrow to remove the brush screws.
Thanks.
#33
01-28-2011 | 07:38 PM
Super Moderator : And A Texan
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,652
From: Katy, TX
Two suggestions:
1) Use a small, sharp cold chisel to hit edge of the screw head to loosen.
2) Use small vise grips to grab the screw head and turn.
Depending on screw shape, 2) is easier, but 1) is almost always successful.
good luck
1) Use a small, sharp cold chisel to hit edge of the screw head to loosen.
2) Use small vise grips to grab the screw head and turn.
Depending on screw shape, 2) is easier, but 1) is almost always successful.
good luck
#36
01-30-2011 | 02:33 PM
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 36
Hi,
To take the alternator cover off, did you have to remove that silver bracket right above to be able to get the cover off?
I have a 1990 accord and it has that bracket which was in the way of removing the cover.
Thanks,
To take the alternator cover off, did you have to remove that silver bracket right above to be able to get the cover off?
I have a 1990 accord and it has that bracket which was in the way of removing the cover.
Thanks,
You were right; it was easier than I thought and thanks to your help and that of others I was finally able to finish the brush replacement successfully. The only difficult -- and I mean *really difficult* -- part of the job was to install the new assembly with retracted brushes. Eventually I had to improvise a special tool just for that. The alternator is now charging non-stop whenever the car is running.
Here is the picture of the alternator with the back cover and the old brush assembly removed:
You might notice a minor corrosion on the 4-prong connector that resembles what you can often see on battery terminals. Unfortunately this one is not as easy to clean as the battery though.
Here is a picture of the old and new brush assemblies for comparison. As you see the old brushes were really worn down:
Oh, and thanks for the downloadable manual links as well. For me the really useful part was the supplement because the main manual I have is the same one as the one at those links.
So thanks again to all of you who contributed to this thread.
Here is the picture of the alternator with the back cover and the old brush assembly removed:
You might notice a minor corrosion on the 4-prong connector that resembles what you can often see on battery terminals. Unfortunately this one is not as easy to clean as the battery though.
Here is a picture of the old and new brush assemblies for comparison. As you see the old brushes were really worn down:
Oh, and thanks for the downloadable manual links as well. For me the really useful part was the supplement because the main manual I have is the same one as the one at those links.
So thanks again to all of you who contributed to this thread.
#38
01-31-2011 | 02:53 PM
Thread Starter
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Newest Of Newbies
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19
1994 Accord LX Alternator Brush Assembly
A method I've used to install a seal over an AC compressor shaft is to cut a short length of 1-liter soft drink bottle and form into an overlapping tube. This should be stiff enough to compress the brushes and allow them to slip over the brass commutators.
It may be necessary to taper the tube slightly to engage the brushes above the commutators and then slide the brush assembly down over the tube. Once in place pull the tube out.
good luck
It may be necessary to taper the tube slightly to engage the brushes above the commutators and then slide the brush assembly down over the tube. Once in place pull the tube out.
good luck
#39
01-31-2011 | 03:03 PM
Thread Starter
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Newest Of Newbies
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19
I am at a loss here and could only suggest a detailed electrical troubleshooting following the Accord's service manual procedure as somebody already suggested here earlier. Sorry.
#40
01-31-2011 | 05:24 PM
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 36
OK. Change out the belts to gatorbacks and the light still goes on when the headlights or any load goes on it. It's goes on and off when warmed up. I will try the regulator next and see where it goes.
Also I have a used regulator but the brown plastic connector is broken off. Could I still use it? I think the brown plastic part is just to hold the green connector on.
Thanks.
Also I have a used regulator but the brown plastic connector is broken off. Could I still use it? I think the brown plastic part is just to hold the green connector on.
Thanks.