Hello, im fairly new user, i prowl around reading everyone post learning about my 4g TL sh-awd. but i recently noticed a fairly alarming issue.

i purchased this car a 2010 4g about a month ago, all seemed well until a buddy of mine noticed that the serpentine belt had a small nick in it. wasn't to much of a big deal at the time said replacing it would be a walk in the park. fast forward 2 weeks we were about to replace the belt when we noticed the cause of the nick of the belt. it was the alternator Pulley. the edge which secures the belt in place was slightly folded inward. which i would assuming might be nicking at the belt causing it to get dmged.

so now im sitting here trying to figure out what my next move should be. i need to replace that belt before it snaps but that is only a temporary fix since the alternator pulley will eventually eat through that belt as well. so my only other choice is to Replace the alternator all together or just replace the pulley on the alternator.

has any one here attempted to remove there alternator from there 4g? possibly can give some tips i rather save the 70-90 bucks that a garage might charge me to take it out. also is there a designated name for that pulley kinda want to search the net to see if i could purchase a replacement.

 

Here's a parts diagram and place to purchase. You can use coupon code acurazine for 5% off plus 1/2 off on shipping this weekend:

ALTERNATOR (DENSO) for 2010 Acura TL

You could buy a rebuilt alternator from a local place and put it in. Not very hard to do, just take your time!

 

thanks, this should help alot. well there nothing wrong with the alternater it self i had it tested a few times, so it seems like a waste really to go buy another alternator but ill keep that in mind to see if i get a good deal any where

 

the pulley is the same across a lot of honda/acura cars so you might be able to get one easily from a salvage yard.

If you click "more" under the honda or acura you'll see what models it's on:
Honda Parts Unlimited | Genuine OEM Honda Parts & Accessories

 

I just recently replaced my alternator, literally yesterday. I had been driving with a "Check Charging System" indicator on for about 2 months now. Several times I took the car to different shops/stores for a alternator/ battery test and everyone kept saying that it must be something other than the alternator. However, the warning didn't appear until one day when there was a noise that sounded like I had a super charger and it coincided with the engine RPMs. The noise wasn't present after that day, just the malfunction indicator, and all the testing equipment said it was putting out the correct voltage and so forth. Long story short here, you don't know what caused your pulley to get damaged and you stated you both this car about a month ago, so it may be worth it to just replace the alternator as a whole. It's possible the previous owner did exactly what you are suggested to do, removed a pulley off another alternator to replace it, or tried to and caused the damage. Unless you know the previous owners it's an unknown so I would err on the side of caution. Removing the pulley could be more difficult than just replacing the unit. However, it is your car and your choice.

The alternator was not too difficult to remove, I have an 09 TL SH-AWD. You just pulled the water bottle up off the frame (I took the cap off and plugged the tank with a shop rag), you have to remove the passenger side cooling fan and then the alternator. I had planned on making a YouTube video of the process, but unfortunately I had no assistance and a 2 1/2 year old running around with me handing me tools in between his own service work on his power wheels jeep.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

 

ReyesMX thats a good point, no i dont know the previous owners so you do pose a valid point. until i start to see more signs of dmg to the vehicle i will wait little longer to see if a replacement alternator would be necessary.

Thanks on the insight on how to remove it, would of been great for a you tube vid, i might actually ask a buddy to record it might come in handy.

funny comment about your lil one must be fun

 

So tonight with help of a buddy of mine, re took out the alternator and replaced the pulley. here are the attached photo of before the replacement and the after pulley i was inserting. the belt was so messed up. from what i could tell i think who ever messed with the alternator before might of dropped it on the pulley and it bent. the repair shop probably covered it up and didnt say anything, any ways thanks for the help guys

 

Damn thats like messed up.

I do have slight bit of worry that the bearings in the alternator have been put under uneven stress for a while. However if cost is a factor do what works for you.

 

well the alternator at the moment makes no sound what so ever (did not make a sound before). its giving me 14.01 with the multi meter, and besides the pulley was the only notable dmg it had. but you are right in that regard and i am worried that w.e made that dmg might of dmged something else. for now i went with the cheaper cost and will keep and eye on it on a week to week basis to see if getting a new alternator might be in order

 

I would think that if the pulley spun freely, with no drag or resistance, then it is not likely the bearings are damaged. However, I agree with anyone who says change the whole unit versus repair, but that is just my mentality and how I feel about things. Not all parts will make a noise before a catastrophic failure, as I have experienced failures that just happen with no warning.

I would rather spend the money to replace than spend the money to continuously repair. However, there is nothing wrong with repairing if that is the only option at this time. We all have our own views though, and our own situations.

Just for reference, the alternator is a DENSO 2100750. I purchased mine through RockAuto for 139.79 with a $68 core charge. It's actually a DENSO reman according to all the paperwork, even came in a DENSO box. I know some people shy away from reman, but to me OEM reman should be just as good as OEM new. I work for a heavy equipment manufacturer and we reman material all the time. It is re-manufactured to the original engineering specifications, and usually people buy them because they feel they are better. The unit I purchased carries the same warranty as OEM new, 12 months, with no mileage limits.

 

ReyesMX - this same supercharger non-sense just occured - did you have a manual for the Alternator change or an article from this site?

 

Was the noise accomponied by a "Check Charging System" light? I only ask because some people have reportedly heard similar noise due to a faulty oil pump or bad o-rings at the steering pump lines. I'm not sure that any of these cause a fault code.

No manual or instructions, just changed it out based on experience with a lot of other repairs I've done on vehicles, sorry. It's a pretty simple proces, just try to make sure if you have kids (under 4) that you have someone to watch them. Not that kids are bad, they just use all your tools on their stuff too. If I have time I can maybe do a photo walk through of the process, without removing anything, unless someone else posts something or you already changed the alternator.