Alt-Death

Few parts of the engine are more accessible than the alternator; typically, it is mounted near the top and the attachment is a matter of just two bolts. Unfortunately, the lower of the two is difficult to access, and the tightly packed engine compartment of a 2011 Toyota Corolla permits a ratchet wrench swing of about 20 degrees. It took 200 of those to remove the bottom bolt, which meant that a 30-minute job took an hour and a half. Also, it was cold (though not as cold as today: -23, the frostiest day so far this winter). Anyway, the little beast is out, the new one is in, and here is the wee corpse on its way back to AutoMachinery for a core refund. And with that--and a boost from my new DeWalt charger--my mother-in-law's car is back on the road. There's nothing like a bit of automechanical work in an unheated garage in January to make you appreciate . . . anything else!