How to change an alternator on your terminator: 2003-2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

If you want a cheap way to read volts, check this out www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
If going to a higher output alternator, make sure to get the big 3 kit www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Big 3 and alternator install here • How to replace the alt...
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This video shows how to replace the alternator on the 2003-2004 SVT Cobra Mustang

[@G_Rapids]

My alternator gave way just as i pulled up to a midnight car meet. The whole way home all i could think was "Man, i really hope Danny Johnson has a video on this" lmao perfect!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Ha ha. Glad I had the video for you

[@SnackAttack77]

You're the man brother! Easiest to follow video I've ever seen. Beautiful Cobra too!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Jason Kressen Thank you. Check out the big 3 video as well if you’re going to a bigger alternator output

[@rhite12]

Danny you are the man, just changed my alternator an hour ago. I followed the vid. I used a stock replacement. Next time hopefully I'll upgrade. Thanks again.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

I'm glad the video was helpful. Just watch those volts! My friend lost his engine since his alternator went and he did back to back pulls with it out. The car was only on battery power so it ran lean and melted a piston. You'll see those videos here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e9h3yhedKaj5o

[@geraldsanders8655]

Thank you for this video. It helped me change out my alternator this past weekend. No more battery light. I have a 04 redfire cobra, and the car is back to it's bad self!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Pieceoflesh Very good to hear! Glad you got it changed out 👊🏼

[@rangebros0]

Perfect video. Step by step. Replaced mine with following your instructions without an issue

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Dave B great! That's the whole reason I made the vid. Thanks for watching! Glad it helped

[@100bl]

Went through 4 on my 04 redfire ... got one from mechman 220 amp in 2012 knock on wood still running... great videos 👍

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

100bl thanks. Yeah, my other video shows installing the mechman 240 and big 3 wire kit. So far so good

[@haroldarellano2105]

Thanks a lot! Literally just change mine following this video step by step!

[@uneekvisions]

Thank you for this video! Helped me change mine out a couple nights ago!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

very good. Thank you for watching, Glad you were able to fix it.

[@victorlichtenberg]

Thank you for making this video. Your angles and explanation really help. Keep up the good work!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Glad it helped out. Thanks for watching!

[@kennethdurbin3385]

Bought my 03 2 weeks ago and just turned over 10,670 miles today. At one point it cranked over more than usual and almost died before firing up. Still has the stock battery from 2003. Guessing I should probably buy a new one tomorrow. 😂

[@lifter213]

Thanks for the video! It helped me swap mine out today.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Very good! Feel free to watch the big 3 install as well- especially if you go for a bigger output alternator

[@hammerdowngt5004]

Nice pulley set up!

[@ArcadeDude44]

I feel got my neglected snakes out of the elements and into the garage. Sadly, my 03 gives me a battery light, even with a new battery. Looks like a new alt is in it's future. I'm glad that hear that aftermarket high output units are available...that's the route I'll go, as well!👍

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

ArcadeDude44 Unfortunately, it’s common for these cars to eat the alternator since it’s located near the hot exhaust, it’s a cheap unit (same as a v6), and if you have a lower crank pulley it will overspin it. If you have a lower aftermarket crank pulley, make sure you get a new alternator 3.2” pulley

[@aptheoutkastonelove4156]

thanks so much for your video. i fixed my cobra:-)

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Great! Congrats on doing it on your own as well! Glad I could help.

[@xOscarIGZx]

Do you recommend switching the pulley on the alternator if you're running a 2.76 upper pulley?

[@lysol7204]

Great info! I just finished changing my alternator "what a pain" on these cobras, Battery light turned off but im still NOT charging, i need help now... LOL

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

This video goes over the ground wires (it replaces them all, but you can just see where they are). If not the grounds or power, maybe look into some fuses kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpuZeYBnZqllmtk

[@lysol7204]

@@dannyjohnsonsgarage Thanks for the info! ill check that next.

[@lysol7204]

@@dannyjohnsonsgarage Nothing! I wired a ground directly from the neg post to a screw on the alternator and nothing... Looking for a suitable engine ground location from above to see if it helps, then ill relocate it. At least my battey light is off. Lol

[@kylespirk306]

Hey I just got my Mechman 240amp alternator. The pig tail that cane with mine had the blue and yellow like yours but another loose blue wire (20” or so). You know anything about this? You have any issues with the In dash battery light coming on. I think that’s what the extra blue wire is for. Idk. Kinda want to start it without that wire connected to anything to see what happens but worried it will fudge something up. Nice car tho man. PS I have an extra set of Manley stock rods, a brand new KB boost a pump still sealed in bag and box, and extra PMAS MAF with adapter housing if you or any other cobra guys you know are in the need. Have a nitrous kit too that came out of the car that I pulled out. Bottle warmer and WOT switch. No need being at 900hp all blower.

[@akwrdbryan6907]

Where did you connect the blue wire? I bought one and it came with the same thing idk where to connect the blue wire.

[@kylespirk306]

Easiest route is to get an add u fuse piece and connect in the fuse box. I’m no a big fan of that. I tapped into a 12v switched source under the driver side dash. Just get you a T pin or safety pin and start pushing it into the wire harness where the wires go into the plastic square piece. Then take a meter and ground the black lead and stick the red read to the pin you stuck in. It should read 0 then 12v when you turn the key in the ignition.

[@footersfunnyfarm6643]

Danny, I have an 04 with a Gen 5 3.0, the intercooler reservoir cap you have is the same as mine... Where would one find a new cap that seals? Mine is leaking coolant & bubbles out. (Not overheating)

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

I believe I have seen an adapter you can buy that changes it to a screw on cap. If you can’t find that you’ll have to contact moroso and ask for a new cap. Depending on how much you have the cap off, some people will just put silicone around it as a breakable seal

[@G_Rapids]

How often does the stock alt go bad with an aftermarket pulley? I have a whipple with a 3.00 pulley, and curious if i should just buy an 105amp alt from napa for $200 with a lifetime warranty, or just go with the American Muscle 170amp for $350

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

You can go with the lifetime napa ones, and continue with the chance they keep going out and you keep changing them out. Youll want to make sure you get a way to measure volts. It’s the lower pulley that will ruin the alternator, the heat, or over spinning it. A better alternator like mechman or Nations will help because they are built to spin faster, withstand more heat, and you can get an external regulator that allows you to mount it away from the hot exhaust (nations has it and mechman by request). Any of the higher output ones should be accompanied by the big 3 wire upgrade (I’ll give you links to my videos on these as well)

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Big 3 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpuZeYBnZqllmtk

[@steveg6853]

Hey Dan, this the same for 2002 Mustangs with DOHC? Great vid again.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

yours is actually a whole lot easier since the alternator is on top of the engine. Just remove the belt, unplug it, and remove the two bolts that anchor it to the block. You don’t have to worry about brackets or pull it out from under the car like on the cobra 😉

[@jasonmitchell7677]

How has that alternator worked out? I'm needing a new one for mine now, started charging at 18.5 volts!!

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

It’s been good so far, still doing a solid 13.8-14.2V

[@cobrlex_svt2572]

Thanks for the video. I just did mine and I never want to do it again haha

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Alex cobra Ha ha. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching, and i’m glad you got it done!

[@cobrlex_svt2572]

Now do lowering springs video lol

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Alex cobra It’s as simple as swapping springs, so these videos would do it

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Alex cobra kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3e8YYR5htFpfs0

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Alex cobra kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6nUgoaYo99-oZo

[@BigYellow1500]

just curious my stock cobra never wore out an alternator but seems like once you do a pulley they don't last at all do you think the smaller pulley and new idlers possible is over spinning the alternator

[@edwinortiz6583]

If I’m getting the 170 amp alternator should I still do the big 3 wire upgrade?

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Yes. Anything over 120amp

[@edwinortiz6583]

@@dannyjohnsonsgarage do you think 170 would be worth it? My car is stock just has an audio system but someday I wanna upgrade the supercharger and all that comes with it. I thought about getting the 240 amp one but I’m not sure

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

@@edwinortiz6583 170 is good all around. I did a 240 and it’s been overkill, but good

[@edwinortiz6583]

@@dannyjohnsonsgarage great to know,Thank you! I will order mine coming Monday! I’m trying to buy it now thru check out but it’s not going thru maybe I’ll have to call them Monday or try again Monday.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

@@edwinortiz6583 if it’s with mechman you might want to ask for the external regulator. It’s a good upgrade to keep it away from the heat. Theirs is a little big

[@a29s12]

I need to know what brand and where to get that alternator.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

A2 9S Mechman brand 170amp is fine. I went 240 amp for my sound system and other electronics. Make sure to also get the big 3 wire upgrade.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

A2 9S This video also shows the big 3 wire upgrade kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp3Efah8jq12i5o

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

A2 9S Big 3 kit www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LG11GP4/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2004047-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01LG11GP4&linkId=34ba26a0c06cf7d8052822473c47de02

[@a29s12]

@@dannyjohnsonsgarage thanks man! My brother was just asking me what to put on his 03 Cobra. Appreciate it 👍

[@1998232v6]

Mine went bad on Friday at 80k miles. I'm dreading changing it. There's just no room in there.

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

I'm sure you'll get it done fine. Just follow the vid and you'll be okay 👊🏼

[@svttrouble5598]

Great vid. Where did you get your alt from?

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Michael Graham I found a mechman rep. You can call them and order directly. I would ask for the external regulator option (didn’t know they offered it at the time).

[@svttrouble5598]

Danny Johnson Did he bust your head for it or did you get a deal?

[@racequad9]

What did you pay for the new alternator?

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

racequad9 I can't remember exactly, but if you find a mechman distributor they can usually get you a deal. I got mine from Steve Winn on Facebook. Type it in Facebook with "Las Vegas." His cover photo is a black Trans am firebird

[@racequad9]

cool, thanks man

[@ms-qs2ef]

cant find him....all the Steve Winn's have a blank cover photo

[@paulciprus9582]

Already upgraded to a 120 amp alt...with the bigger pulley to slow it down...not a fun task....would rather beat my head against a tree....🤣🤣🤣

[@SVT_sleeper_4v]

Knowing this is the most common problem for these cars...im starting to regret saving up to buy this car...

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

You will quickly learn every car has its problems. The terminator is a very stout, reliable car when properly maintained. I installed a mechman alternator with the big 3 wiring upgrade (would also recommend an external regulator by request if you order) and it’s been fantastic kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp3Efah8jq12i5o

[@dannyjohnsonsgarage]

Here is another list of things to know kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIHEe2umjs1mmbM