Common questions

How do you remove an alternator from a car?

How do you remove an alternator from a car?

Once the belt is off just remove whatever bolts connect the alternator to the bracket and you’re good to go. Our model required the removal of three bolts: one at the front and two at the rear. With the old alternator in your hand you’re half way home.

Do you need to remove serpentine belt to change alternator?

As you loosen the bolts, the alternator will slide in the bracket under the tension of the belt. You may not need to remove the serpentine or accessory belt if it’s not damaged.

How do you replace a voltage regulator on an alternator?

Remove the voltage regulator by first removing the screw from the bottom brush assembly. Remove the screw that holds the lead into the grounding screw. Helpful? Install the replacement voltage regulator by replacing the screws mentioned in the previous step. Helpful? Use an ohmmeter to assure that the diodes are receiving the proper current.

How to replace an alternator on a 1995 GMC?

Somewhere on your vehicle there is a tensioner pulley. You’ll need to move it enough to slip the belt off the pulley. Our ’95 GMC has a standard spring-loaded GM tensioner that required us to pull it back with a wrench.

How do you remove an alternator?

Removing the Old Alternator Relieve tension on the belt with the auto-tensioner (if equipped). Loosen the bolts on the alternator if there is no auto-tensioner. Inspect the serpentine belt for damage. Remove the alternator from the engine bay. Compare the new alternator to the old one.

How do you hook up an alternator?

Connect a 10-gauge wire from the output stud on the alternator back to the positive battery terminal. Make both connections with a solderless ring terminal. This connection can be made at the starter relay also, as long as it connects to the same terminal as the positive cable from the battery. Reconnect the negative cable to the battery.

How do you change an alternator belt?

How to Replace Alternator Belt in 5 Steps Step 1 – Check the Alternator Belt Step 2 – Release the Tension Step 3 – Get Familiar with the Alternator Belt Step 4 – Install the New Belt Step 5 – Make the Final Check

What is an alternator pulley?

An alternator pulley is a device that allows a vehicle’s alternator to be turned by a belt, which is driven off of the engine’s accessory drive system.

To remove the alternator you’ll first need to remove the serpentine belt (not shown) and then loosen and remove the two upper Torx bolts (green arrows) holding the belt tensioner to the engine. Remove the belt tensioner and then unplug the electrical connector going to the alternator (purple arrow).

How do you remove a serpentine belt from an alternator?

With the belt tensioner locked, remove the serpentine belt from the alternator pulley. On the back of the alternator, press the tab on the connector and pull the plug out of the back of the alternator (green arrow).

Can a Mini Cooper alternator be removed without removing the radiator?

In order to remove the alternator, you’ll need to extend the front bumper into the service position or remove radiator and hoses completely. It is possible to replace the alternator without removing radiator. See our articles on replacing these for more detailed info. Before starting any work, make sure that you disconnect the battery.

Where is the insert jack on an alternator?

Insert jack stands beneath the vehicle for safety once it’s jacked up. Remove the main power cable from the alternator. The main power cable will be the thick cable attached to the alternator that runs from the battery.

What do I need to do to remove alternator from Santa Fe?

The first thing to do is disconnect the battery for safety reasons. Secondly you will need to prepare the alternator for removal. This includes moving any parts that are in the way, removing the drive belt, and disconnection the alternator’s electrical connections.

What should I do if my alternator is hot?

Really! First and most importantly: disconnect the battery. There may be several wires or just one wire on your alternator, but rest assured that one of them is hot. If you don’t disconnect the battery, you’re very likely to end up grounding a live wire during the process.

Once the belt is off just remove whatever bolts connect the alternator to the bracket and you’re good to go. Our model required the removal of three bolts: one at the front and two at the rear. With the old alternator in your hand you’re half way home.

As you loosen the bolts, the alternator will slide in the bracket under the tension of the belt. You may not need to remove the serpentine or accessory belt if it’s not damaged.

Somewhere on your vehicle there is a tensioner pulley. You’ll need to move it enough to slip the belt off the pulley. Our ’95 GMC has a standard spring-loaded GM tensioner that required us to pull it back with a wrench.

How long does it take to replace an alternator?

With a few tools and about an hour you can swap it out yourself — and keep your dough in your pocket where it belongs. Note: As this is a Craftsman -sponsored project, you’ll notice a number of Craftsman tools in the photos, including Cross Force Wrenches.

Remove the alternator from the vehicle. Install the new alternator assembly and put on the front alternator mounting bolts loosely. Use a torque wrench to tighten the alternator bracket bolts to 84 inch pounds and the front mounting bolts to 19 foot pounds.

How to remove negative battery cable from alternator?

Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench. Remove the air cleaner with a socket wrench, if necessary. Remove the accessory drive belt from its pulley and disconnect the electrical wiring harness from the alternator. Remove the positive battery cable with a socket wrench.

How can I tighten the bolts on my alternator?

Use a torque wrench to tighten the alternator bracket bolts to 84 inch pounds and the front mounting bolts to 19 foot pounds. Connect the electrical harnesses to the alternator and tighten the nut on the positive battery cable to 72 foot pounds. Replace the accessory drive belt and air cleaner if removed.

Remove the alternator from the vehicle. Install the new alternator assembly and put on the front alternator mounting bolts loosely. Use a torque wrench to tighten the alternator bracket bolts to 84 inch pounds and the front mounting bolts to 19 foot pounds.

Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench. Remove the air cleaner with a socket wrench, if necessary. Remove the accessory drive belt from its pulley and disconnect the electrical wiring harness from the alternator. Remove the positive battery cable with a socket wrench.

Use a torque wrench to tighten the alternator bracket bolts to 84 inch pounds and the front mounting bolts to 19 foot pounds. Connect the electrical harnesses to the alternator and tighten the nut on the positive battery cable to 72 foot pounds. Replace the accessory drive belt and air cleaner if removed.

With a few tools and about an hour you can swap it out yourself — and keep your dough in your pocket where it belongs. Note: As this is a Craftsman -sponsored project, you’ll notice a number of Craftsman tools in the photos, including Cross Force Wrenches.

How many bolts do you need to replace an alternator?

Our model required the removal of three bolts: one at the front and two at the rear. With the old alternator in your hand you’re half way home. You’ll likely find getting the new one back in goes much faster since you already know what size the bolt heads are and where everything is.

Loosen the alternator adjustment bolt with the socket and ratchet but do not remove it. Remove the drive belt once the bolts have been removed and the alternator has been lowered, putting slack in the drive belt. Remove the alternator after removing the alternator adjustment bolt with the socket and ratchet. Install the new alternator.

Can you replace an alternator on a 2000 Jeep Cherokee?

Installing the drive belt over the new alternator is easily accomplished with two people, however, it can be done with one person. Replacing the alternator in your 2000 Jeep Cherokee can be done at home if you have some prior auto repair experience.

How do you compare an alternator to a new alternator?

Compare the old alternator to the replacement alternator. Note the electrical connector plug-in position and the design (shape). Make sure everything matches before installing. This also applies to the position of the alternator mounting bolt holes.

What happens if you leave your alternator alone?

Your alternator supplies your car’s battery and auxiliary systems with electrical current, and a failed alternator left alone will eventually lead you with a dead battery, or a dead car on the side of the road. Keep reading to learn the signs of a damaged alternator and find out the general steps required for a DIY alternator replacement.

If your vehicle does not have an auto tensioner, insert a pry bar or piece of wood between the alternator and the engine. Run the belt over the alternator pulley, then use the bar to pry the alternator away from the engine and increase the tension on the belt.

Can you change the serpentine belt on a Ford truck?

The 3.5L Ecoboost V6, 3.7L V6, and 5.0L Coyote V8 all have non-adjustable tensioners, meaning you cannot simply loosen the tensioner to remove the belt. To change serpentine belts, you’ll either have to allow a shop to do it, or use a stretchy belt remover/installer to do it yourself.

How to change the belt on a Ford F350?

Ford F250 F350 7.3 Powerstroke Serpentine Belt change tutorial, PowerModz! If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV’s watch history and influence TV recommendations.

Where is the belt tensioner on a Ford F-150?

Locate the belt tensioner, it’ll look like a pulley with an arm coming off of it. Figure 1. You don’t have to remove the radiator shroud to access the tensioner. It’ll be in the gap between the engine block and the fan. Insert either your 1/2” drive ratchet or your belt remover tool into the tensioner. Rotate clockwise towards driver side.

What are the most common causes of alternator problems?

Common cause as the serpentine belt is under constant tension. Not replacing it on time, stuck alternator pulley or a faulty bearing are common causes of this problem. Worst thing about this problems is that it can snap at a moments notice. Main causes of alternator problems (at least from what I’ve seen) are:

What causes an alternator pulley not to work?

Not replacing it on time, stuck alternator pulley or a faulty bearing are common causes of this problem. Worst thing about this problems is that it can snap at a moments notice. Main causes of alternator problems (at least from what I’ve seen) are: This is the first and most common reason of them all.

What are the signs of a failing alternator?

One of the most common symptoms of a failing alternator is flickering, pulsating, or dimmed headlights. If your alternator is beginning to fail it won’t be able to power your headlights effectively.

Is it bad to drive with a bad alternator?

If the alternator is going or has gone bad, in most cases the vehicle can be driven for a short distance and for a short period of time, allowing you to make it to a service station or automotive parts store for a replacement alternator.

How do you know if the alternator is broken?

Be sure the battery leads are tight before diagnosing battery and alternator problems. If they are loose, they are probably causing your charging problems. If the alternator is broken, you may be able to hear loud clicking sounds coming from the engine while it is running.

What causes alternator failure?

Bad diodes are a common cause of alternator failure. The diodes are part of the rectifier assembly that converts the alternator’s AC output to DC. The alternator’s charging output flows through six diodes in the rectifier assembly before it goes to the battery and electrical system. Consequently, the higher the charging load, the hotter they get.

What happens if you Don’t Disconnect the battery from an alternator?

If you don’t disconnect the battery, you’re very likely to end up grounding a live wire during the process. This causes cause all manner of bad things to occur — not the least of which is giving you quite a shock. Now that the battery is out of the way disconnect the wire or wires from the back of the alternator.

How do you install an alternator?

How to Install an Alternator in 10 Steps Step1 – Disconnect the Negative Terminal of the Vehicle’s Battery Step 2 – Loosen the Two Bolts that Hold the Alternator Step 3 – Rotate the Alternator Step 4 – Remove the Electrical Wires Step 5 – Adjust the Bolts Step 6 – Install the Belt Step 7 – Position the Alternator Step 8 – Move the Vise Grip

How to install an alternator on a tuff battery?

ALTERNATOR INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 1 – Disconnect the ground cable from the battery. 2 – Disconnect all wire connections from the alternator and label wires for future replacement. 3 – Remove alternator belt(s). 4 – Loosen alternator mounting and tension arm bolts. 5 – Hold the alternator securely while removing the mounting bolts and spacers.

How do you wire a 1 wire alternator?

Simply connect one wire from the positive battery terminal to the positive alternator terminal. It’s that easy! #1 (Left terminal) NO CHARGE WARNING LIGHT Note that our 1-wire alternators 7127, 7139 and 7140 permits the use of a no charge warning/dashboard indicator light. To wire a warning light, remove the terminal plug cover

How do you replace an alternator in a car?

Replacing the alternator can be accomplished with basic mechanic’s tools. Remove the drain plug located under the clutch area of the primary chaincase and drain the chaincase lubricant into a catch pan. Remove all mounting bolts from the primary cover and slide the cover from its locating studs.

Can you remove the alternator from a Porsche 911?

To remove the fan and the alternator on a 911, you do not need to remove the engine from the car. However, for the 914-6, it is impossible to remove the alternator without removing either the engine, or the fuel injection (Weber carbs, etc.).

When do you need to replace the alternator on a Lincoln Navigator?

You may need to replace the alternator if your battery continually runs down or your headlights become dimmer while the engine is running. Determine which alternator your Lincoln Navigator will need. You’ll want to be sure the new alternator is compatible with your Navigator’s engine.

Remove the power steering pump using a wrench to remove the bolts. Do not disconnect the hoses. Unplug the wiring harness from the alternator and then disconnect the main power cable using a wrench to remove the nut. Remove the bolts from the alternator using the socket and ratchet and pull the alternator out of the car.

How do you replace an alternator on a Honda Accord?

Tighten the nut with the wrench. Put the power steering pump back on and tighten the bolts with the wrench. Put the accessory belt back on and tighten them by pulling the alternator to the front of the car. Tighten the adjusting bolt on the alternator and then the bottom bolt using the socket and ratchet.

How much should it cost to replace the alternator?

The price of repairing an alternator will depend on the car you drive, the type of alternator (remanufactured or new) and the auto shop you take it to. Most repairs, according to our research, will be in the $275 to $570 range.

Do you need an alternator?

If you’ve got a basic, stock vehicle, chances are you don’t need a high-output alternator. Most factory alternators are rated at 65 to 100 amps and are capable of handling your vehicle’s basic necessities, such as headlights, gauges, fuel pumps, A/C, etc.

How do you remove the serpentine belt from an alternator?

Record the radio presets if you want to re-enter them when the job is complete. The serpentine belt will also need to be removed. Locate the belt tensioner and hold reverse tension against it using a wrench, socket or breaker bar. This will allow the belt to be removed from the alternator pulley.

What do you use to remove the connector on an alternator?

Remove the nut using the appropriate-size wrench, or loosen and remove the connector tab using the Phillips screwdriver. Do not pull on the wires to the alternator. Damage to the wires may result in a total wiring harness replacement, which can be very costly.

How do you get an alternator back in place?

You might have to wiggle the alternator around to squeeze it back into place in a crowded engine bay. Be sure to hold loose wires or the serpentine belt out of the way as you get it into place. Be careful not to trap any wiring behind the alternator as you slide it into place.

How to remove an alternator from a VW?

This is a common VW failure, and is a VERY easy DIY. Before removing the alternator, you will need to remove the serpentine belt, and tensioner. Check out the other Salvage yard DIYs ~ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list… Subscribe to Humble Mechanic ~ http://www.youtube.com/user/humblemec… https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…

Insert jack stands beneath the vehicle for safety once it’s jacked up. Remove the main power cable from the alternator. The main power cable will be the thick cable attached to the alternator that runs from the battery.

How to remove an alternator from a Hyundai Accent?

Disconnect the air compressor connector (A) and the alternator connector (B), and remove the cable (C) from alternator “B” terminal. 6. Remove the alternator (A). 7. Installation is the reverse order of removal. 8. Adjust the alternator belt tension after installation. Alternator. Repair procedures 1. Remove the rear cover (A). 2.

What’s the best way to check your alternator?

Monitoring Your Alternator Check the alternator gauge. Listen to the alternator while the engine is running. Turn the radio on and rev the engine. Find an auto-parts store that tests alternators for free.

Author Image
Ruth Doyle