Possible Water Pump and Alternator Problems.

Dangerusman · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-09, 01:59 PM

Alrighty I have searched on this forum for quite a while today looking for as much information as possible. I had gotten a Battery Not Charging light for the first time last night and the general consensus is that my Alternator is bad. Also I have a coolant leak on My Eldorado and from what I read and what my caar was doing sounds like it is my water pump to a T.

So... My question is after searching I could not find this and with no Haynes manual available I need some help here. I have no problem doing the work myself but I have looked at the vehicle and there is absolutely no room by the water pump and the alternator is on the bottom of the engine.

I have a 1999 Eldorado. Can anyone here give me a detailed description how to remove and replace these parts? I want to take the alternator off to have it tested because I've always gotten much better results from machines that test the alternator out of the vehicle. I really could use some help here! Thanks in advance!

iametarq · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-09, 02:18 PM

I don't know if the 99 eldo and 98 Seville are similar, but I think so, but here are my pictures from when I had to replace my water pump:

http://gallery.iametarq.com/cars/cad...tem/waterpump/

to get the pump out you need a special tool, it was a giant socket with teeth.

here, these should also help, see the attached files. Note the one for the alternator does state that the radiator has to be removed. I've never done the job so i hope someone else can chime in who has first hand experience. if you do do it. i'd like to know how it goes...

**Ranger** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-09, 03:37 PM

Also be advised that the '99 alternator is water cooled.

submariner409 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-09, 04:16 PM

..............and be further advised that a Haynes manual or a Chilton's are worthless when it comes to these cars: far too generic. You need a Helm/GM Factory Service Manual (eBay or www.helminc.com) or subscribe your car for one or more years to www.alldatadiy.com

Dangerusman · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-09, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Also be advised that the '99 alternator is water cooled.

Does this mean the prices I am getting from Local Auto parts dealers are inaccurate or that I have to do something special with the alternator?

**Ranger** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-09, 08:39 PM

No clue about prices, but you will have to drain the cooling system.

Dangerusman · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 10:29 AM

Alrighty... I have changed the water pump.... Hopefully it is sealed properly with no leaks. Changed both gaskets and changed the thermostat. Figured I might as well I do it all at the same time.

Anyways I had my battery tested and it came back bad... So... I was hoping that would cause the issue of battery not charging. Well that came up again once I started my car with the new battery in it. Havent driven it or anything because I do not want this battery to go bad either (Though it has a 3 yr free replacement)

Anyways this leads me to believe that I just got unlucky and my bad alternator caused my battery to go bad..

So... I read on here that in order to change my alternator I need to take off my radiator.. I was surprised to see that not many people replied to my thread. Does no one work on their Cars on this site? This alternator job looks absolutely terrible..

What I am really looking for is a step by step instructions how to take out the alternator. And if I really need to take out the radiator I need step by step instructions for that.

If anyone could help me it would be greatly appreciated. So far in the last 8 months I have changed the fuel line starter front pads and rotors water pump and now the alternator (if it comes back bad) I know it is mostly just routine maintenance but that was a terrible place to put a starter lol..

Anyways I am looking for anyone who can help me? Also from anyone experience here is there anything else that can cause battery not charging besides the battery or alternator being bad?

Dangerusman · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by submariner409

..............and be further advised that a Haynes manual or a Chilton's are worthless when it comes to these cars: far too generic. You need a Helm/GM Factory Service Manual (eBay or www.helminc.com) or subscribe your car for one or more years to www.alldatadiy.com

How good is this site? Is everything step by step? Because that is definitely something I would look into... And would definitely use!!

submariner409 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 10:37 AM

The step-by-step procedure for removing a 1999 alternator would take a small notebook !

Alldata is a database for your specific car which includes all service manuals, recalls, technical Bulletins, pictures, torques, specs, labor times, some parts costs, diagrams, vacuum, electrical, troubleshoot trees, .......so much info you'll never be able to read it all, and it's a quick keystroke away.

**Ranger** · #10 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 10:38 AM

I have not used alldatadiy, but I think it is pretty much an online version of the FSM by Helm Inc. and should have step by step instructions.

Dangerusman · #11 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by submariner409

The step-by-step procedure for removing a 1999 alternator would take a small notebook !

Alldata is a database for your specific car which includes all service manuals, recalls, technical Bulletins, pictures, torques, specs, labor times, some parts costs, diagrams, vacuum, electrical, troubleshoot trees, .......so much info you'll never be able to read it all, and it's a quick keystroke away.

I have worked on my own cars enough in my life that I am pretty sure I am capable of doing this job... Have you ever done it?

Mark C · #12 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 10:49 AM

I don't think the 99 Eldorados alternator is water cooled. The 98 to 200 Sevilles are, as are the 2000 Devilles. Essentially all the later eldorados should be mechanically the same as the 97 Sevilles since they never really updated it after 97. If you have a small black water pipe that runs down the front right side of the motor and dissapears down the front of the engine just outboard of the oil fill cap then you have a water cooled alternator. If not, its probably a CS130 alternator that was used on the 97 and earlier Sevilles, Devilles and Eldorados. Still a pain to replace, but not as expensive as a water cooled (heated?) one.

submariner409 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 10:51 AM

I, personally, have never done a water-cooled 99 alternator but have seen the disassembled results in a local shop. The radiator was removed.

Other members, having a 99, have done the job and posted the work here and in Technical, Electric. Hopefully one will chime in.

FWIW, I believe that you can install a non-water cooled unit in your car, if it has not already been done. These alternators were prone to failure and I've seen, in here, that some have changed to a normal air-cooled unit with no problems.

tateos · #14 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 02:31 PM

On a '97 ETC, I was unable to remove the alternator without removing the radiator. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I couldn't do it. First the fans had to come off - to do that, I had to unbolt the front motor mount from the cradle, and jack up the engine enough for the fans to clear the engine. I also remember removing the battery to get some room in that area. You also have to unbolt the bracket that the motor "strut" mount bolts to.

Nothing difficult - just a lot of things to remove to gain access. These are my recollections.

chubbyranger · #15 (**permalink**) 10-12-09, 02:35 PM

I'd guess the Eldo does not have a water cooled alternator based on the fact that there are no recalls on 99 Eldo in the NHTSA data base. The 99 Seville has an alternator recall and that alternator is water cooled. I'd assume if Eldo was the same that the recall would extend to that model. Nowhere near proof positive but that's my guess. If you check rockauto.com it should also tell you whether the alternator is water cooled. It specifically states that it is water cooled in the Seville listing.