Hey guys, I was just wondering if putting a new alternator into the 8 is hard at all? I'm not too mechanically inclined, but I really want to start learning. The reason I'm installing it is, the place I took my 8 had said that the cost for a new alternator from Mazda was $500, and sure enough, they were right. Well, I was able to find one online (Onlinemazdaparts.com) for $159, so I was to install it myself to keep the price down. Thanks!

 

What did you do to the old alternator that led to its replacement?

Pulling the alternator is extremely easy. Just follow the steps in the shop manual.

 

RR has a FS thread for a used alternator for $95 shipped.

I believe the alternator has a tension bolt, and then one or two more bolts to hold it in place, and a plug ... should be easy to swap.

 

I really have no idea. I was driving one day, and all of the sudden the little battery light came on, and it's been on ever since.

 

So did you test it to see if its bad before you $pent all this money?

 

I had our normal car repair guys test it, and it's bad.

 

You can't let norm al car guys check out the car; this is a rotary!!