A few weeks ago I started a project to solve a problem
with the charging light, the light was on all the
time. I asked the group for help, and a lot of you
replied and gave me some good advise. After checking
for shorts in the wiring harness five times I finally
took my alternator to a repair shop to have it tested
and right enough, it was faulty. They wanted $68 to
fix it or $180 for a new unit. No wonder I said thank
you, and called one of the local auto parts store to
check the price for an alternator for a Ford Fiesta as
suggested on the vtr maintenance pages. I think the
unit was a little over $80 incl tax - good deal.
Unfortunately it did not bolt into the bracket on my
car. Again the list helped me by pointing out to ask
for a Bosch unit. On the phone again to try to find a
store, where they carry the Bosch unit. It actually
turned out I had to ask for a Bosch unit for a Fiesta
1980 model with AC. I just loved it, when I walked
into the store and told them I was the guy who called
for the Bosch alternator, and when they saw my old
unit (I wanted to make sure it would bolt in), one of
the guys said from 5-10 feet away: Hi, that's not a
Bosch unit, it's a Lucas. If any of you live in SF Bay
Area and need a new alternator, please feel free to
contact me, and I shall give you the addr.
Anyway, my next problem is now, as it's also says on
the vtr pages: a longer fan belt is probably needed.
Correct, the alternator fits as if it was made for the
tr6, but the stock fan belt is too short. Any smart
way to replace the fan belt ? It looks like I have to
remove the radiator, the cross bar, and the steering
linkage just to get the old fan belt out and install a
new one. Could someone please tell me, how long the
stock fan belt is and what size I should get -
probably 2-4 inches longer? Well, I think I have an
oil leak somewhere up front - probably the timing
cover, and maybe I'll take a look at this too.
Is this a commen problem you all run into - you think
you just have fix a simple thing like a shortage in
the wiring and then you end up taking the whole car
apart ?
Thanks for all the help so far - unfortunately I'm not
done yet!!!
Dane
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