Alternator bracket question. Pictures added - page 1 - Troubleshooting - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Alternator bracket question. Pictures added by subsonic on 25 Apr, 2008 15:00
• I am installing a new alternator in my 85 golf na. It comes equipped with a/c, but does not have ps.  I purchased a new alt for a non a/c setup as I was intending to remove the a/c from my car.  I need to get the car running though, so I have replaced the non a/c pulley on the alt with a with a/c pulley.  Belts line up.  Alt bolts into place.  The original alt bracket that attaches to the top of the alt and is connected to the block near the timing cover no longer fits.  It appears to be too short to connect to the new alt. It has a slight bend in it, and two holes.  It does not have the notches in it.
  Do a/c and non a/c alternators have different mounting holes on them?
  Why the hell does this not fit?
  I need to get this damn car on the road :x
• #1 by dillenger1 on 27 Apr, 2008 06:06
• you got the bracket?
• #2 by burn_your_money on 27 Apr, 2008 06:31
• Yes AC and NON AC have different mounting points on the alternator. The tab on the casing has 2 holes. AC uses the upper, non ac uses the lower hole. You can use a bolt and nut or tap the hole.
• #3 by subsonic on 27 Apr, 2008 06:51
• I had to fabricate an extension to connect it to the alt.  It was about 4-6 inches long.  I bolted a extension to the end of the top bracket, tilted the alt up until it was in a good spot, marked the end of the extension, and drilled a hole.  Bolted them together, one in the last hole on the oem bracket, one in the fist of the two holes on the alt.  Big pain in the ass, but it works.
• #4 by subsonic on 28 Apr, 2008 13:01
• Alt is still in place no movment, belt is loose as hell though.  So loose in fact, my alt light came on half way to work.  I do not think I am going to have enough movment in the tensioner pulley to fully tighten it again.  This is getting to be a pain in the ass.  How freaking hard is it to just swap the alt and have it work.  Now I need to drive it home, 70 miles with no alt belt, at night with the lights on in a damn rain storm. :x
• #5 by zukgod1 on 28 Apr, 2008 13:55
• Well that doesnt sound fun  :shock:
• #6 by blkboostedtruck on 28 Apr, 2008 14:47
• well at least the alt. pully i sent you was right! well was it?
  Duane
• #7 by subsonic on 28 Apr, 2008 15:40
• The pulley lines right up with the other pulley on the a/c compressor, so that looks good.  The belt does ride  low in the pulley, but it is in the same spots as the wear marks that were on the pulley.  I have retensioned the belt twice so for.  Once after a few min or running, 2nd time after about a 10 min drive.  That should have accounted for stretch.
  It was so loose when I got to work that it was not even spining the alt.  I am going to try and borrow some tools and see if I can get anymore adjustment from the tensioner pulley.  If not, I may have to resort to doing the one light trick I read about on here, and hope it helps enough to limp home.
  I have no idea why it is getting so loose.
• #8 by burn_your_money on 28 Apr, 2008 18:30
• Maybe you are overtightening the belt which will cause it to fail faster.
• #9 by subsonic on 29 Apr, 2008 05:17
• Nope, did not over tighten.
  I made it home last night just on the battery.  Have it plugged in to a charger this morning.  
  This morning I adjusted the belt tensioner all the way out. The belt is marginaly tighter.   If I grab the alt pulley I can spin it with my hand if I twist slightly hard,even with the belt on.  No way it should be that loose with the adjuster all the way out.  I have like a good 3-4 inches of delfection in the middle when I push on the belt.
  I will try and take some pictures so you see, but it all looks solid.  The only thing I can think of to do is use the adjuster on the a/c compressor to lower it away from the alternator, increasing the tension between the two, but that will cause the other belt to be loose.
• #10 by duffer on 29 Apr, 2008 06:47
• This response is probably so dumb
     it's beyond comprehension.
  
     Is it possible that your supplier sold
     you the wrong size belt?
  
     As you know, there are different lengths
     for the alternator with, without a/c, power
     steering.
  
     Perhaps the belt is simply the wrong
     size and too long for your application.
• #11 by subsonic on 29 Apr, 2008 07:01
• I can check.  What I have on it is :
  
  Kelly/Springfield
  13275
  
  13/32in x 25.5in 38 degree
  
  Just called and checked, they said that is the correct part number, and correct length.
• #12 by jimfoo on 29 Apr, 2008 07:38
• Why not just go to the local auto parts store and get a shorter belt?
• #13 by subsonic on 29 Apr, 2008 09:07
• Thought about it on the drive in to work.  The parts guy told me this is the correct belt that goes over the water pump/alt /ac.  this is just ac and alt. hmmm.
• #14 by duffer on 29 Apr, 2008 10:59
• I believe you said you were taking the
     a/c out of your car.
  
     I have a 1991 Jetta which originally had
     a/c (now removed).
  
     I have the original alternator & bracket
     still installed.
  
     The V-Belt I have is from the crank pulley
     to water pump/alternator.
  
     The belt is 13mmX960mm (1/2"X37-7/8")
     Part #9375 from Carquest.
  
     I don't know if this will help you out.
     Perhaps the 1985 Golf se -up is different.