How to Change the Alternator on a 1990 Honda Accord

The alternator on the 1990 Honda Accord supplies voltage to charge the battery during vehicle operation. Once the alternator starts to go bad, the battery will lose its ability to hold a charge. Also, all of the electrical components on the car will slowly fade until none of the electrical components work anymore. You can replace the alternator on the 1990 Honda Accord in less than an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Ratchet
• Adjustable wrench
• 3/8 socket
• Small container
• 5/8 socket
• Pry bar

Instructions

1. Pop the hood of the car and lock the hood in place. Remove the negative battery cable from the battery. Set the negative battery cable to the side so that the cable does not touch any metal surface.

2. Remove the rubber dust boot on the passenger's side of the alternator. Slide the dust boot off of the electrical connection and then slide the boot up the wire. This will expose the nut underneath the dust boot. Remove the nut by using a ratchet and a 3/8 socket. Set the nut in a small container and remove the wire from the stud.

3. Remove the main wiring harness plug from the back side of the alternator. This can be done by squeezing the boot of the main wiring harness where it goes into the back of the alternator and pulling out at the same time. The plug should come straight out with no problems.

4. Remove the top bolt that secures the alternator to the alternator bracket. This is called the pivot bolt. Loosen and remove the top alternator pivot bolt with the ratchet and a 5/8 socket. Pull the bolt out of the alternator and put it into the small container.

5. Remove the locking nut on the lower front part of the alternator with the ratchet and 5/8 socket. This is called the adjustment lock nut that holds the alternator in place after it has been adjusted. Remove the locking nut and pull the bolt out from the back side of the alternator. Put the locking nut into the small container.

6. Remove the main adjustment bolt at the end of the alternator bracket. This bolt screws in and out to adjust the alternators location. Unscrew the adjustment bolt from the bracket with the ratchet and the 5/8 socket. Put the adjustment bolt into the small container.

7. Slide the pry bar behind the top of the alternator and pry the alternator forward. Then slide the belt off of the alternator pulley. Now remove the last bolt from the alternator. The last bolt runs through the very bottom of the alternator. Unscrew this bolt from the back side of the alternator and set the bolt inside of the small container.

8. Pry the alternator out of the bracket. Grab the alternator with your hands and lift straight up on the alternator and pull it out of the bracket. Discard the old alternator.

9. Slide the new alternator into the alternator bracket. Slide the bottom bolt into the alternator and tighten the bolt hand tight.

10. Slide the top pivot bolt into the top of the alternator and screw it in hand tight. Slide the belt back over the alternator pulley.

11. Slide the bottom adjustment bolt through the bottom of the alternator bracket. Make sure that the threaded end of the adjustment bolt goes through the open groove of the adjustment bracket. Screw the locking nut onto the adjustment bolt and screw the locking nut don hand tight.

12. Screw the main adjustment bolt through the end of the adjustment bracket. Tighten the adjustment bolt with the ratchet and the 5/8 socket until the belt is tight. Then tighten down the locking nut on the front of the adjustment bracket.

13. Tighten the top pivot bolt and the bottom alternator bolt down with the ratchet and 5/8 socket until they are very tight. Inspect the alternator to make sure that all of the bolts are tight and that the belt is tight.

14. Reconnect the main wiring harness plug to the back of the alternator by pushing the plug straight into the socket on the back of the alternator.

15. Slide the wire over the threaded stud on the passenger side of the alternator. Tighten the nut down with the 3/8 socket and the ratchet. Then slide the dust boot back down over the wire connection. Hook the negative battery cable back up to the battery and tighten the cable down tight. Crank the engine and allow the new alternator to charge the electrical system for about five minutes. Turn the engine off.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all of the bolts and nuts inside of a small container to keep up with them.

• Make sure to remove the negative battery cable from the battery before removing the alternator wires. reason is if the alternator wires touch any metal object, it can cause a significant shock to you and it can cause the battery to short out and blow up on you.

• Always wear safety glasses when working around the battery.

References

• "Haynes Repair Manual: Complete Repair Guide for 1990-1993 Honda Accord"; Henderson; 1995

Resources

• AutoZone.com: Complete Online Repair Guides for all Honda Accord Makes and Models
• 2CarPros.com:1990 Honda Accord Alternator Replacement With Picture