When I replaced my tensioner, the belt was still tight. In fact, when I was removing the tensioner, it still had a tremendous force (you have to unwind with a nut driver to remove it).

Regardless I still had to replace it because it was making a screeching sound. Prior to getting it changed, I noticed my voltage would drop if I had a lot of electronics running and had to keep revving(or drive) my car before it would stall. After I replaced it, the voltage drop symptom disappeared.

 

How do I replace the tensioner? How do I slack the drivebelt period? I tried to take of the alternator and cant figure out how to relieve the tension. I don't see where to do it...

 

The red circled area is the tensioner. Place the 17mm socket wrench where circled in the green and turn as shown. This will relieve pressure permitting you to remove the serpentine belt. The tension is still going to be strong.

(this is for a 2.8) I believe the 1.8 is removed in a similar fashion.

 

That was perfect, I got it off easy, thanks! Now to send it off to get rebuilt.

 

Alternator is working and charging. Thanks guys for helping out. Good info here!

 

Are you referring to the same alternator? or you got the one you already had,rebuilt?

 

The same one. I got it rebuilt in Hilo and it works great now

 

i had a similar problem with my a4 after changing the timing belt i took the car for a ride after about 20 min my car started sputtering and died so i immediately thought it was the altenator i replaced it charged the battery ... same thing died. maybe i got a bad altenator ? i replaced it again... same thing .. i replaced the battery still died i was so confused checked my belts everything was great. i was completely stumped then i investigated a little deeper come to find out a $1.99 fuse to my alternator was blown ! after i finished the timing belt i was connecting my leads to the starter and when tightening up the positive lead to the starter my rachet hit another metal part of the car grounded out and blew the fuse. i remember it happening but not thinking anything happend i was in a rush and made a stupid mistake and with out thinking ( i was exhausted 4 hours of work at 10pm after working all day will do it to you) . i cant believe 3 altenators later and a battery come to find out it was a fuse. such a newbie dumb mistake. ill never let myself live that one down. i always wondered why if you look in a troubleshooting section of a owners manual for something say .... a tv. like if your tv isnt turning on you think the tv blew up and you check the troubleshooting section of the manual and the first thing it says " Is the tv plugged in" lol i always thought why would they put that in there obviously people arent that dumb... well they put that in there for people like me in that situation. my problem with my car was that obvious. so ive learnt my lesson no matter how dumb it may sound to check the most obvious thing . always do it because it happens lol

 

I didnt even know the alternator had a fuse...

Manuals should say stuff like that lol

Car doesnt start
[1] Is the key in the ignition and turned to the START position

Hey, its not a stupid mistake, its part of learning I was wiring up something in a car once, I dont remember what for. I was stumped when that car wasn't charging either. Problem: I disconnected the alternator wires for some reason and completely forgot to reconnect them...lol Like durrr... It happens

 

Yup sometimes its just the most obvious thing that you never check because you "think" you could never make a dumb mistake like that lol