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How do I remove copper from the alternator?

My car isn’t going to run again, unfortunately. So I’m looking for ways to use parts. How do I remove copper from the alternator?

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Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
To remove copper from the alternator, you’ll need a tool like needle-nose pliers to retrieve the wiring. Another option is to utilize chisel or wire cutters to snip the wiring before pulling it out—but that’s only if you don’t mind having several pieces.
To get access, you’ll have to remove some nuts and then free the case from the armature. Once you remove the shaft and pulley, you can cut the field coil away and remove the copper. You should be able to retrieve more than one pound of copper from your alternator!
Of course, if that sounds like too much work, you can always sell the entire alternator as scrap and let someone else do the extraction.
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MORE: How to tune up a car
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