Technical Fiat 500 alternator removal!!!!
- Thread starter HammerFL
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Technical Fiat 500 alternator removal!!!!
Figure it out on my own. First remove the left wheel side cover, it covers the lower engine pulley, then remove upper bolts to brake spindle, remove axle nut from axle. Pull the spindle out far enough to remove left axle. after that the alternator should drop out. I took car to Firestone for an alignment check afterwards.
MarioFromCanada
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how did you get to the top bolt on the alternator?
The OP is from the USA. Cars built for the North American market have a completely different engine, so what's been posted by HammerFL could be very useful for owners across the pond.
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atikovi
New member
By feel with a 13mm socket and short extension. It's a pain the get to and there is another 13mm bolt in the same area that you could loosen by mistake.
Was your alternator mounted on the Left.. or right ?
Op. Suggests access on Mexican built 500 is from the left
atikovi
New member
It's mounted on the right under the ac compressor. I have it off the block but haven't got it out of the car yet. Have to unbolt the engine or suspension to make more room for it.
Hi - I must have the same taste in cars as you I asked you questions about a Saturn Vue Redline!
Working alternator replacement on Fiat 500 - that top bolt! I have it up on jack stands (high!) and the belly pan off, and I can get my fingers on the bolt, but how in the world did you get a wrench on it? Even with extensions?
Working alternator replacement on Fiat 500 - that top bolt! I have it up on jack stands (high!) and the belly pan off, and I can get my fingers on the bolt, but how in the world did you get a wrench on it? Even with extensions?
atikovi
New member
Don't remember now but it's below the a/c compressor.
Yep I an get my fingers on it. I even got a socket with an extension onto it, but still no way I can get a ratchet in to connect to the extension.
Another thread included this:
NOTE, it may be necessary to tip the engine forward slightly to gain access to the upper bolt!
That seem to make it worse! I just don't have enough clearance.
Another thread included this:
NOTE, it may be necessary to tip the engine forward slightly to gain access to the upper bolt!
That seem to make it worse! I just don't have enough clearance.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Haynes manual says undo engine mounting and then tilt the engine forwards to get extra space....
Holy crap we got it!
By we I mean my wife and I. I don't know how anybody gets that on their own.
There are a few youtube videos out there - not a single one shows how they get the alternator out.
Only one of them shows it still in the car, that guy just says it is a bear to get the top one out.
There is one in Spanish where he takes the AC compressor out that makes it look really easy, but the AC lines are not the same as the ones in my car.
Here was the magic. This is a US 1.4L with air conditioning. The AC line is definitely in the way. The only way to get there was to fashion a set of extensions and socket that are the right length to extend out just over the AC line, wend that in there and get a bite on the bolt head, and turn. Sounds easy, right?
What worked was a 13mm deep well and mid length extension. But wait, there's more. Because the bolt is long, and you don't have much room until you hit the firewall. Then you have to come up with another combo that is just long enough to reach past the AC line - 2d round was a 13mm regular socket, a 1 inch extension, and a midlength. Until you hit the firewall. And then the deepwell and the one inch extension....
Then you should be able to rotate the alternator on the bolt clockwise about 45 degrees, which gives you room to use a boxend wrench on the bolt. A million turns later, its out!
By we I mean my wife and I. I don't know how anybody gets that on their own.
There are a few youtube videos out there - not a single one shows how they get the alternator out.
Only one of them shows it still in the car, that guy just says it is a bear to get the top one out.
There is one in Spanish where he takes the AC compressor out that makes it look really easy, but the AC lines are not the same as the ones in my car.
Here was the magic. This is a US 1.4L with air conditioning. The AC line is definitely in the way. The only way to get there was to fashion a set of extensions and socket that are the right length to extend out just over the AC line, wend that in there and get a bite on the bolt head, and turn. Sounds easy, right?
What worked was a 13mm deep well and mid length extension. But wait, there's more. Because the bolt is long, and you don't have much room until you hit the firewall. Then you have to come up with another combo that is just long enough to reach past the AC line - 2d round was a 13mm regular socket, a 1 inch extension, and a midlength. Until you hit the firewall. And then the deepwell and the one inch extension....
Then you should be able to rotate the alternator on the bolt clockwise about 45 degrees, which gives you room to use a boxend wrench on the bolt. A million turns later, its out!
Next - there is a youtube video that shows how to get the alternator out without removing anything else. Well, except motor mounts. I unbolted the passenger side and the torque mount dogbone. Jacked the motor up and there is JUST enough room to get the alternator out and the new one back in the hole through the wheelwell - no axle or ball joint removal.
This is a UK manual for 500's produced in Poland / Italy..? With a FIRE 4 Cylinder petrol
Every respondent to this thread
Has a Mexican built 500 with the Multiair motor
Congratlations to you Both 
Now youve made 5 posts
Could you please post a link to the Spanish guide
Thanks
Charlie
Now youve made 5 posts
Could you please post a link to the Spanish guide
Thanks
Charlie
Try this oneCongratlations to you Both
Now youve made 5 posts
Could you please post a link to the Spanish guide
Thanks
Charlie
https://youtu.be/VpHjpTnwfOc
Gah.
This video you will note that its thumbnail has "DESIGNED BY SATAN?" on it.
https://youtu.be/4c99iv6VfWY
Seems possible. It is the only yt F500 alternator video that actually has it in the car. If you watch, you will see that the upper ear of the alternator is broken off. I suspect that is how he got it out.
I removed the main bolt from the torque support dogbone. It cannot come out all the way because the exhause pipe is there. But I was able to force it out with a pry bar. Which is fine. But it won't go back in.
A motor mount video on YT shows how to do it on an Abarth and that pipe removes from the downpipe - I am going to have to unbolt the header from the midpipe in order to get it back in.
Gah.
This video you will note that its thumbnail has "DESIGNED BY SATAN?" on it.
https://youtu.be/4c99iv6VfWY
Seems possible. It is the only yt F500 alternator video that actually has it in the car. If you watch, you will see that the upper ear of the alternator is broken off. I suspect that is how he got it out.
I removed the main bolt from the torque support dogbone. It cannot come out all the way because the exhause pipe is there. But I was able to force it out with a pry bar. Which is fine. But it won't go back in.
A motor mount video on YT shows how to do it on an Abarth and that pipe removes from the downpipe - I am going to have to unbolt the header from the midpipe in order to get it back in.
Gah.
