Alternator

atc8989 · 09-22-2009, 04:25 PM

I'm trying to replace my alternator and I'm not sure if I have power steering or not. How do I look it up with the VIN number?

_davin · 09-22-2009, 05:11 PM

I had the exact same problem, even though it turned out to just be a broken belt(if you haven't already checked you should). But I eventually figured out if you take out that big plastic bit in the front that's around your donut if you have one, it uncovers all the power steering bits. You probably do have power steering, but you can see the filler cap and a couple electronic boxes that say power steering on them on the passenger side. I hope I described that well enough. Yeah I was amazed that I couldn't figure out if my car had power steering or not, felt pretty stupid :P Good luck.

atc8989 · 09-22-2009, 11:51 PM

Hey thanks. Actually the belt did snap, but it was because the alternator seized up.

Starlet 3SGTE · 09-23-2009, 12:13 AM

The power steering alt should fit in place of non p/s and put out more amps since p/s is electric in gen2 at least.

shootis · 10-31-2009, 04:53 PM

I found out the hard way that the power steering alternator will not fit the manual steering mounting bracket. The 100 amp unit bolts will not fit along with the casing hitting the bracket.

I had to exchange the alternator with the correct 70 amp unit. I just finished this job a few hours ago. It wasn't mush fun trying to wrestle the larger one into a bracket that it doesn't fit. I finally removed the bracket and looked at it and found out tat the spacing was off.

traintech86 · 10-31-2009, 04:55 PM

wait you can't tell if you have ps or not? O_o i may be wrong but i have driven a few dif cars and my mk1 feels so much dif in steering. it takes a mile of turning for a U-turn haha

mr3 · 10-31-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traintech86

wait you can't tell if you have ps or not? O_o i may be wrong but i have driven a few dif cars and my mk1 feels so much dif in steering. it takes a mile of turning for a U-turn haha

It only takes about 2.5 turns to full lock. It's not that bad. I'm sure with the stock steering wheel it would be even easier. I have a smaller wheel on mine and it makes it difficult when sitting still but once I get rolling, it goes easily.

09-22-2009, 04:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
atc8989 atc8989 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 70 Thanks: 14 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Alternator I'm trying to replace my alternator and I'm not sure if I have power steering or not. How do I look it up with the VIN number?

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09-22-2009, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
_davin No Skills Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fairbanks Alaska Posts: 29 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I had the exact same problem, even though it turned out to just be a broken belt(if you haven't already checked you should). But I eventually figured out if you take out that big plastic bit in the front that's around your donut if you have one, it uncovers all the power steering bits. You probably do have power steering, but you can see the filler cap and a couple electronic boxes that say power steering on them on the passenger side. I hope I described that well enough. Yeah I was amazed that I couldn't figure out if my car had power steering or not, felt pretty stupid :P Good luck.

09-22-2009, 11:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
atc8989 atc8989 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 70 Thanks: 14 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Hey thanks. Actually the belt did snap, but it was because the alternator seized up.

09-23-2009, 12:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Starlet 3SGTE Horsepower Junkie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	The power steering alt should fit in place of non p/s and put out more amps since p/s is electric in gen2 at least.

10-31-2009, 04:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
shootis No Skills Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I found out the hard way that the power steering alternator will not fit the manual steering mounting bracket. The 100 amp unit bolts will not fit along with the casing hitting the bracket. I had to exchange the alternator with the correct 70 amp unit. I just finished this job a few hours ago. It wasn't mush fun trying to wrestle the larger one into a bracket that it doesn't fit. I finally removed the bracket and looked at it and found out tat the spacing was off.

10-31-2009, 04:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
traintech86 Traintech86 on all im's Join Date: May 2009 Location: Norfolk VA Posts: 922 Thanks: 15 Thanked 25 Times in 24 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	wait you can't tell if you have ps or not? O_o i may be wrong but i have driven a few dif cars and my mk1 feels so much dif in steering. it takes a mile of turning for a U-turn haha