Thursday, November 7, 2013
Replacing the Alternator on a 2002 Lincoln LS
The alternator for any given vehicle acts as the generator for the automobile, keeping the battery charged while it regulates the flow of electrical charge through the engine components. If your lights begin to flicker when you run your vehicle or various electrical processes seem to be slower than usual, the chances are that the alternator in your 2002 Lincoln LS is going out. Replacing the old alternator with a new one can keep your Lincoln out of the garage and on the road where you need it most.
Instructions
- 1
Park your Lincoln on a level area, set the parking brake and turn the engine off. Open the hood of the vehicle and locate the old alternator by either following the connector from the battery or using your new alternator as a guide to the proper component. Disconnect the negative power cable from the battery with a wrench or socket .
2Locate the belt diagram chart on your Lincoln, either on the hood or the radiator shroud, and use it to locate the tensioner pulley that must be adjusted to loosen the serpentine belt. Refer to the chart for instructions on which way to turn the tensioner pulley in order to loosen the serpentine belt (some LS models require a clockwise motion while others need to be turned counterclockwise). Use a ratchet and socket on the bolt that sticks out of the tensioner pulley and rotate it in the indicated direction to loosen it. Slide the serpentine belt off the tensioner pulley once it is loosened and remove the belt from the alternator pulley. Let the pulley go back to its original position.
3Disconnect the electrical wiring harness attached to the alternator and remove the positive battery cable connection with the socket or wrench. Loosen the mounting bolts on the front of the alternator and remove them with the wrench or socket. Lift the support bracket away from the alternator and remove the old alternator. Install the new alternator in place. Reattach the support bracket and tighten the mounting bolts. Reconnect the electrical wiring harness and the positive battery cable, then slide the serpentine belt over the alternator pulley. Release the automatic belt tensioner to replace the belt over the tensioner pulley and let it slowly move back to its original position once the belt is in place.
4Reconnect the negative power lead to the battery of your Lincoln with the wrench. Start the engine and let it run for several minutes while you check the various electrical processes in your vehicle and look for signs of power fluctuations.
