i believe i have an alternator going bad, but i would like to get in there and check and clean the connections before i break down and pay to have a new one intalled. how do i go about getting to the connections and cleaning them? i am also about to clean my engine bay and was wondering if i had to make sure and not get water on the alternator or does it matter? the alternator has oil on it from a leak i have and thought maybe i could clean it off somehow. any input would be greatly appreciated

 

I would try to keep the alternator dry, like any electrical device,..g clean the oil off carefully. Better yet, find the oil leak and fix that, maybe the alternator is going due to the oil dripping onto it.

 

it is going bad because of oil getting on it, but i don't have the funds to have the oil leak fixed at this time. it's my cam seals that are leaking. that's why i was wanting to clean the connections abd buy some time until repairs can be made. do i have to remove bumper and such to get to the connections to clean it? and a stupid question maybe but, when i go to clean my engine bay, how are you supposed to keep from getting the alternator wet when it is at the bottom of the engine?

 

Yes you have to remove the bumper, and most likely pull the lock carrier forward to gain access to the terminals.
It won't hurt the alternator to get it wet.