Thursday, January 16, 2014
How to Replace a BCM in a 2000 Saturn LS
The Saturn L-Series was a family of mid-size sedans and station wagons that General Motors produced from 2000 to 2005. The LS model was a sedan with a four-cylinder, 2.2-liter engine. The 2000 Saturn LS had an anti-lock braking system as a standard feature, which includes a brake control module, or BCM. The BCM has a microprocessor that calculates the braking power for each wheel during an emergency stop. The BCM in a Saturn LS is a black box in the engine compartment near the dash on the drivers side that can be replaced in a few simple steps.
Instructions
- 1
Turn the ignition off. Clean the BCM and surrounding area with a shop cloth to prevent contamination of the ABS when you remove the BCM.
2Detach the electrical connector from the BCM. Remove the four retaining bolts that attach the BCM to the brake pressure modulator valve with a socket wrench. Pull the BCM carefully away from the valve.
3Clean the the valve with a shop cloth and denatured alcohol to prevent contamination of the new BCM. Mount the new BCM to the valve and align the electrical terminals for the BCM and the valve.
4Install the four retaining bolts that fasten the BCM to the valve. Tighten the bolts to 27 inch-pounds with a torque wrench. Attach the electrical connector to the BCM.
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.