This video will demonstrate the replacement of an alternator on an Acura MDX. This vehicle was showing "Check Charging System" error. This will be similar on a Honda Pilot. -AlanFixedIt
Very good job showing what was going on and explaining things at the same time. Just by watching you do this job, I already prefer you to pretty much every other car mechanic I've ever met. Well done sir 👏 👍
Thank you VERY much for putting this video together. I typically do all the work on my vehicles but I was planning to leave this alternator job to a real mechanic. After seeing your video, I figured I would give it a try. GREAT advice on renting that special tool. Worked like a charm. It took about an hour and 15 minutes from start to finish for me to replace the alternator on my '07 MDX. Thanks for including the belt diagram.
One note that really made me struggle was how the Engine rested. My car died on an incline which shifted the engine slightly towards the radiator, making it impossible to remove the alternator. I ended up having to release the parking brake and use the transmission to keep the car from moving in Park. Once the torque was on the engine, it rotated toward the firewall just enough that I was able to get the alternator out without issue. Thanks for the video.
Thank you, Thank you for the video. I was successful in replacing my alternator on a 07 MDX. Only one add I would like to make. As Alan mentions, get the belt tension tool!! You will need this when trying to pull the alternator our and around the AC hose. That is the only thing that is not shown in the video and knowing this will save you time in trying to extract the Alt. I was able to loan one ( free) from the parts store I bought the unit from .
Thank You! Just did this to our 2008 MDX. I was just about to take it to the mechanic. We already had several things go out on us the past couple of weeks, so this definitely saved me some $$ to pay for the other crap that broke around here. Took a little while to get the alternator out of it tight hold even after the bolt was taken out, and get the new one pressed in there, but in all it took a little less than an hour & a half to do the job.
Oreilly's, remanufactured. Their site is listing it now for $183 with a $61 core charge + tax. They also have the tensioner tool that you can rent free www.oreillyauto.com/shop/charging---starting-16772/alternator-11425/2008/acura/mdx?q=alternato
That's why you keep you're motor clean ! Duh no wonder you're alt got hot and fried it. LOL remove passenger side tire and cover so you can release belt easily because if the belt comes off lower pulleys you would be able to route ! Also you can get to the lower 12m alt bolt etc.....
I just finished doing my alternator and had a hard time with the serpentine belt. DON'T USE A 14MM DEEP SOCKET for the tensioner. When I used the deep socket, it interfered with the motor mount and didn't give enough slack to loop the belt over the tensioner.
Does the fuse 15 under the fuse box under the hood on perssenger side blow causing the '07 Mdx to completely shut off while driving If the alternator charges at 13.5?
No one mentions the bottom mounting 14mm bolt being almost "ceased up" - I have been tuning it about 1/8th of a turn with a pipe on the ratchet and it is still super tight - after an hour or so the bolt is out about 1/2 an inch and still not showing ant signs of getting loose?????WTF
Just recently had this problem...swapped a new battery and alternator, lasted about 2 weeks or so, then the car decided to suddenly die again last night and showing a p0685 code... any ideas?
James Murphy 1st thing is do is check the battery terminals/connections. Take them off, clean both the wire side and battery side with a wire brush then reassemble. If the problem persists replace the main power relay(s)