Yesterday the red battery warning light came on dash. Battery seems fine. terminals tight and clean. Starts up w no problems. Any ideas what to look for?

 

Check engine block ground straps and all grounds to frame. The light is "Battery Charging" so if all grounding is fine then the alternator is next so check the connections (3) on the back. You could be loosing the alternator.

 

Ok, bought new battery and alternator. I can't get the damn tensioner bolt loose! My box wrench isn't long enough for me to get some torque on it. Can't fit a socket on bolt because the fan is in the way. I know these are dumb questions but I am not a mechanic just have enough tools and knowledge to be dangerous. Please advise you guys that ARE mechanics. I found a breaker bar on auto zone but that's only for sockets.

Is the obvious answer pull the fan off? I hope not!

 

Put box end of wrench on nut. Attach another box end (smaller) to the open end of the first one. You now have an extension to push on

 

3/8" breaker bar comes in handy. Takes I believe a 15mm socket, put it on the pulley bolt head at about at the 10 O'Clock and pull to your right, towards the drivers side of vehicle. Lotsa spring pressure. I usually put my bottle jack handle on the breaker bar and that makes it less than a pound of pull. That loosens belt tension. There should be just enough room to squeeze the socket and breaker in between the fan and belt. Nice they included a removable center in the fan shroud.

 

That's too advanced, need to take baby steps......field repair with one phillips screw driver, a 9/16" combination and a jack knife 101 will come....lol.

 

Holy crap! Pull to the right?! Uhhhh that may be the problem!

 

The belt can be routed 2 ways, 1 is wrong so pay attention, alt is like a 10 minute job

 

Thanks so much for the tip I was trying to take the nut off! Like I said I am not a mechanic. I am a moron with tools and love my Disco so I'm sure I'll be back with more stupid questions later.

Thanks for the help the alternator is in and works perfect. Battery light gone started first time. Hardest part is getting the belt back on.

 

10 minutes ha maybe for you. Rookie = 45 minutes, wire connector broke too so had to change that.