Hello,

I picked up a 1995 Protege LX, 1.5L engine, about two weeks ago. Nice car. Very well maintained. The alternator died last week. Pretty normal thing. I started taking it out to get it tested. The car came with a brand new battery, and it was fully charged. I got the wires disconnected and the alternator itself unbolted in about 30 minutes without any trouble. Well, the alternator is loose, but there is no way I can get it out of the engine compartment. I've searched the web, but nobody else has said anything at all about my exact year and engine. The 1.8 alternator is much easier to get out, I've read. I picked up a Hayne's manual, which was of zero help. It speaks of a non-existent cross-member with 6 bolts that has to come out. Even with the cv axle and exhaust out of the way, it won't fit between the firewall and engine. Is there a motor mount I can take out to tilt the engine forward to get the dang thing out?

Thanks in advance!

 

I guess they didn't sell a lot of these cars lol. Well, I got the alternator out. I had to remove the catalytic converter and squeeeeeze it between the car and the drive shaft. I almost took out the cv axle, but I didn't have to. Tested it and it was no good. Glad it was the problem

 

Good job Spider-Man! I didn't expect any less form a guy with this name!

Actually, the Protégé was a very popular vehicle. So is its successor the Mazda 3.

I didn't have to take the alternator out yet, but now I now one way to do it. I think the cross member is the thing under the engine that goes across the engine from front to back. Nr. 9 in this diagram: