1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO alternator

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 351
alternating current developed
within the stator windings to a direct (DC) current
at the output (BAT) terminal. Three of these diodes are negative and are
mounted flush with the end frame while t he other three are positive and are
mounted into a strip called a heat sink. The positive diodes are easily identified
as the ones within small cavities or depressions.
The alternator charging system is a negative (-) ground system which consists
of an alternator, a regulat or, a charge indicator, a storage battery and wiring
connecting the components, and fuse link wire.
The alternator is belt-driven from t he engine. Energy is supplied from the
alternator/regulator system to the rotati ng field through two brushes to two slip-
rings. The slip-rings are mounted on the rotor shaft and are connected t\
o the
field coil. This energy supplied to the ro tating field from the battery is called
excitation current and is used to init ially energize the field to begin the
generation of electricity. Once the alter nator starts to generate electricity, the
excitation current comes from its ow n output rather than the battery.
The alternator produces power in the form of alternating current. The alternating
current is rectified by 6 diodes into dire ct current. The direct current is used to
charge the battery and power the rest of the electrical system.
When the ignition key is turned ON, current flows from the battery, through the
charging system indicator light on the in strument panel, to the voltage regulator,
and to the alternator. Since the alternat or is not producing any current, the
alternator warning light comes on. When the engine is started, the alternator
begins to produce current and turns the alte rnator light off. As the alternator
turns and produces current, the current is divided in two ways: part to the
battery(to charge the battery and power the electrical components of the
vehicle), and part is returned to the alte rnator (to enable it to increase its
output). In this situation, the alternator is receiving current from the battery and
from itself. A voltage regulat or is wired into the current supply to the alternator
to prevent it from receiving too much cu rrent which would cause it to put out too
much current. Conversely, if the voltage regulator does not allow the alternator
to receive enough current, the battery will not be fully charged and will
eventually go dead.
The battery is connected to the alternator at all times, whether the ignition key is
turned ON or not. If the battery were shorted to ground, the alternator would
also be shorted. This woul d damage the alternator. To prevent this, a fuse link
is installed in the wiring between the battery and the alternator. If the battery is
shorted, the fuse link melts, protecting the alternator.
An alternator is better that a convent ional, DC shunt generator because it is
lighter and more compact, because it is designed to supply the battery and
accessory circuits through a wide range of engine speeds, and because it
eliminates the necessary maintenance of replacing brushes and servicing
commutators.
PRECAUTIONS

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 352
To prevent serious damage to the alte
rnator and the rest of the charging
system, the following precauti ons must be observed:
• Never reverse the battery connections.
• Booster batteries for starting must be connected properly: positive-to-
positive and negative-to-ground.
• Disconnect the battery cables before using a fast charger; the charger
has a tendency to force current through the diodes in the opposite
direction for which they were designed. This burns out the diodes.
• Never use a fast charger as a booster for starting the vehicle.
• Never disconnect the voltage regulator while the engine is running.
• Avoid long soldering times when replacing diodes or transistors.
Prolonged heat is damaging to AC alternators.
• Do not use test lamps of more t han 12 volts (V) for checking diode
continuity.
• Do not short across or ground any of the terminals on the AC alternator.
• The polarity of the battery, alter nator, and regulator must be matched
and considered before making any elec trical connections within the
system.
• Never operate the alternator on an open circuit. make sure that all
connections within the circ uit are clean and tight.
• Disconnect the battery terminals when performing any service on the
electrical system. This wil l eliminate the possibility of accidental reversal
of polarity.
• Disconnect the battery ground cable if arc welding is to be done on any
part of the car.
CHARGING SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING
There are many possible ways in whic h the charging system can malfunction.
Often the source of a problem is diffi cult to diagnose, requiring special
equipment and a good deal of experience. However, when the charging system
fails completely and causes the dash boar d warning light to come on or the
battery to become dead the following items may be checked:
1. The battery is known to be good and fully charged.
2. The alternator belt is in good condition and adjusted to the proper
tension.
3. All connections in t he system are clean and tight.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 354

Fig. 3: Unplugging the harness
While internal alternator repairs are possi ble, they require specialized tools and
training. Therefore, it is advisable to replace a defective alternator as an
assembly, or have it repai red by a qualified shop.
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Tag and disconnect the alternator wiring.
3. Remove any drive belt(s) which may interfere with alternator removal.
4. Support the alternator and remove the mount bolt(s). Remove the unit
from the vehicle.
To install: 5. Position the alternator into place and install the mount bolt(s) loosely.
6. Install the drive belt(s). On V- belts, tighten the belt enough to allow
approximately
1/2 in. (13mm) of play on the longest run between pulleys.
7. Connect the alternator wiring.
8. Connect the battery ground cable.
VOLTAGE REGULATOR
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 355

Fig. 1: Voltage regulator with brushes depressed

Fig. 2: Alternator end frame

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 356
This procedure is to be performed with t
he alternator removed from the vehicle.
The new style CS alternators on 1987-92 vehicles are non-serviceable and
must be replaced as an assembly.
1. Make scribe marks on the end fram es to make reassembly easier.
2. Remove the 4 through-bolts and s eparate the drive end frame assembly
from the rectifier end frame assembly.
3. Remove the 3 diode trio attachi ng nuts and the 3 regulator attaching
screws.
4. Remove the diode trio and the regulator from the end frame.
To install: 5. Push the brushes into the brush hol der and install a brush retainer or a
tooth pick to hold the brushes in place.
6. Install the regulator into the alternator.
7. Install the diode trio.
8. Install the halves of the alternat or and secure the halves with the 4
through-bolts. After the alternator is assembled, remove the brush
retainer.
STARTER
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. 1: View of the starter on a V8

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 373

Fig. 6: Removing the valve cover gasket
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner, if necessary.
3. To remove the right side valv e cover, perform the following:
a. Through 1988: Disconnect the EG R solenoid transfer tube from
the plenum. Remove the coil and mounting bracket from the
cylinder head. Remove the plenum, runners and throttle body
assembly on tuned port injected models. Remove the valve cover
retainers and nuts. Remove the valve cover.
b. 1989-1992 vehicles: Remove the EGR pipe assembly, if
necessary. Unplug the electrical connections and wiring
harnesses as necessary. Label and disconnect the spark plug
wires from the distributor. Remo ve the crankcase vent hoses and
valves. Remove the coil. Remove the AIR control valve, check
valve, pipes and hoses. Remove t he valve cover bolts and remove
the cover.
4. To remove the left side valve cover, perform the following:
a. Through 1988: Remove the air management hose, if equipped.
Remove the plenum and throttle body assembly on tuned port
injected models. Remove the air conditioning bracket. Remove the
valve cover reinforcements and nuts. Remove the valve cover.
b. 1989-1992 vehicles: Unplug the electrical connections and the
wiring harnesses, as necessary . Remove the alternator and
disconnect the crankcase hoses and the PCV valve. Remove the
valve cover bolts and remove the valve cover.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 386
FUEL INJECTION

1. Remove the air cleaner.
2. Drain the radiator.
3. Disconnect: a. Battery cables at the battery.
b. Upper radiator and heater hoses at the manifold.
c. Crankcase ventilation hoses as required.
d. Fuel line at the carburetor.
e. Accelerator linkage.
f. Vacuum hose at the distributor, if equipped.
g. Power brake hose at the car buretor base or manifold, if
applicable.
h. Temperature sending switch wires.
4. Remove the distributor cap and scribe the rotor position relative to the
distributor body, and engine.
5. Remove the distributor.
6. If applicable, remove the alternator upper bracket. As required, remove
the air cleaner bracket, and accelerator bellcrank.
7. Remove the manifold-to-head attachi ng bolts, then remove the manifold
and carburetor as an assembly.
8. Mark and disconnect all emission re lated items (e.g.: wiring, vacuum
hoses, etc.) which are connected to manifold mounted items.
9. If the manifold is to be replaced , transfer the carburetor (and mounting
studs), water outlet and thermostat (use a new gasket) heater hose
adapter, EGR valve (use new gasket) and, if applicable, TVS switch(s)
and the choke coil.
To install: 10. Before installing the manifold, thoroughly clean the gasket and sealing
surfaces of the cylinder heads and manifold.
11. Install the manifold end seals, folding the tabs if applicable, and the
manifold/head gaskets, using a s ealing compound around the water
passages.
Make sure that the new manifold gaskets match the old ones EXACTLY.
12. When installing the manifold, care should be taken not to dislocate the
end seals. It is helpful to use a pilo t in the distributor opening. Tighten the
manifold bolts to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm) for 5.0L or 20-25 ft. lbs. (27-34 Nm)
for 2.8L in the sequence illustrated.
13. Install the distributor with the rotor in its original location as indicated by
the scribe line. If the engi ne has been disturbed, refer to the previous
Distributor Removal and Installation procedure.
14. If applicable, install the alter nator upper bracket and adjust the belt
tension.
15. Connect all disconnected components at their original locations.
16. Fill the cooling system, start the engine, check for leaks and adjust the
ignition timing and carburetor idle speed and mixture.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 410
11. Disconnect all electrical connecti
ons from the intake manifold and
cylinder head.
12. If the vehicle has air conditioning, remove the compressor and position it
out of the way. Do not disc onnect the refrigerant lines.
13. Remove the alternator and lay the unit aside. If necessary, remove the
alternator brackets.
14. Remove any other brackets or components mounted on the cylinder
head.
15. Remove the upper radiator hose.
16. Remove the rocker arm cover and back off the rocker arm nuts/bolts and
pivot the rocker arms out of the way so that the pushrods can be
removed. Identify the pushrods so that they can be reinstalled in their
original locations.
17. Remove the cylinder head bolts and cylinder head. Remove the intake
and exhaust manifolds, as required.
To install: 18. Thoroughly clean all mating surfaces of oil, grease and old gasket material. Clean the head bo lts and cylinder block threads, otherwise an
accurate torque specificat ion will not be attained.
19. Install a new gasket on the block mating surface. Position the cylinder
head on the block.
Clean the bolt threads, apply sealing comp ound and install the bolts finger-tight.
20. Tighten the head bolts a little at a time using the correct sequence and
torque to 92 ft lbs. (125 Nm).
21. Install the pushrods and rocker arms . Refer to the procedures described
earlier in this section.
22. Refill the cooling system and check for leaks. The remaining installation
is the reverse of the removal procedure.
2.8L AND 3.1L ENGINES

Fig. 2: Cylinder head bolt torque sequence for all V6 engines