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The alternator in your car is one of the easiest fixes you can do. First, remove the NEGATIVE (-) battery cable.
You must relieve the tension on the serpentine belt by loostening the retaining bolt, then remove the wiring harness plug from the back of the alternator, then remove the two retaining bolts from the alternator. Reverse the procedure to install the new alternator, making sure that belt tension is adequate. Replace the netgative battery cable last, and test.
If the serpentine belt is loose, replace the belt.
IF IT IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE OTHER BELTS, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNBOLT THE TOP OF THE ALTERNATOR, AND PUSH IT IN TO LOOSEN THE BELT FOR REMOVAL! IF IT IS IN BACK OF THE BELTS (ESPECIALLY A SERPENTINE BELT) YOU'LL HAVE TO REMOVE THE SERPENTINE BELT FIRST! THERE WILL BE A TENSION PULLEY HOLDING THE BELT TIGHT! YOU'LL NEED TO USE A WRENCH TO PULL THE TENSION PULLEY TOWARD YOU TO LOOSEN BELT! WATCH HOW YOU REMOVE IT, BCUS YOU'LL NEED TO PUT IT BACK ON THE SAME WAY! THEN REMOVE, AND REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR BELT AS BEFORE, THEN REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT!
Turn off the engine and place the transmission in park (automatic) or first gear (manual). Engage the parking brake and open the hood. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery terminal using the battery terminal wrench.
Remove the serpentine belt by inserting the end of the serpentine belt tool into the square hole on the belt tensioner and rotating the removal tool clockwise. Unplug the alternator's electrical connector. Remove the bolt holding the positive voltage cable to the alternator using a 3/8-inch ratchet and a metric socket. Remove the positive voltage cable from the alternator.
Remove the alternator bracket bolts using a metric socket connected to a 3/8-inch ratchet. Remove the alternator from the car. Place the new alternator in the mounting brackets and reinstall the mounting bolts using a 3/8-inch ratchet connected to a metric socket.
Reinstall the positive voltage cable on the alternator and tighten the retaining nut using a 3/8-inch ratchet and a metric socket. Plug in the alternator's electrical connector. Compress the serpentine belt tensioner using the serpentine belt tool. Reinstall the serpentine belt according to the belt-routing diagram located under the hood.
Reconnect the negative cable to the battery using the battery terminal wrench. Start the engine and verify that the alternator works.
On the 4cly 2.2 engine you DO NOT need to remove the engine mount. If you remove the right front wheel, there is an access panel held in place by plastic push pins. If you remove this panel, it is very easy to remove the belt by attaching a serpentine belt removal tool to the 3/8" drive hole in the tensioner arm.
This is not a trivial task. You will have to go through the right wheel well.
1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and isolate it so that it does not come into contact with the battery.
2. Remove the air intake resonator using a hand wrench or ratchet and socket.
3. Remove the air cleaner tube and the mass airflow sensor.
4. Reach down to the alternator and disconnect the plugs and connectors from the alternator.
5. Jack the front of the car. Put jack stands in to support it. Remove the wheel.
6. Remove the wheel well splash shield assembly to gain access to the alternator using a screwdriver to remove the retaining clips.
7. Using a square drive in the tensioner pulley arm to remove tension from the serpentine belt. Remove the belt from the alternator pulley only; you do not need to remove the entire belt.
8. Remove the alternator mounting bracket and lower bolts.
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9. Remove the retaining bolt and nut from the power steering hose bracket, then remove the bracket from the engine lifting eye.
10. Remove the upper alternator bolt, then remove the alternator. To replace, reverse the procedure.
Raise and support the front of the vehicle, then remove the
passenger side tire and wheel assembly for access to the rear of the
alternator through the wheel well.
Working through the wheel well, unfasten the alternator
brace-to-block bolt, then remove the brace-to-intake nut and the
brace-to-engine stud nut.
Unplug the alternator wiring connector, then remove the battery terminal nut and wire.
Carefully release the serpentine belt tension and remove the belt
from the alternator pulley. Do not allow the tensioner to snap back
into position once the belt is off the pulley.
Loosen the alternator retaining bolts, then support the
alternator and remove the fasteners. Remove the alternator from the
vehicle.
To install:
Position the alternator in the vehicle and loosely install the retaining bolts.
On 1994-98 models, tighten the top alternator bolt to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm) and the bottom bolt to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm).
On 1999-99 models, tighten the rear bolt to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm) and the front bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
On 1994-98 models, install the alternator brace, then tighten the retaining nut(s) and bolts to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm).
On 1999-99 models, install the alternator brace, tighten the
brace-to-alternator and brace-to-intake retainers to 18 ft. lbs. (25
Nm). Tighten the brace-to-engine stud nut to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm).
Install the battery terminal wire and tighten the retaining nut, then engage the alternator wiring connector.
Hold the serpentine drive belt tensioner, back off the belt while
slipping the belt over the alternator pulley. Gradually lower the
tensioner into contact with the belt, then check for proper alignment
and tension.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Fig. : Alternator mounting-4.3L engine
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (Except 2.2L Engine)
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the air inlet duct assembly, if necessary.
Carefully relieve the serpentine drive belt tension, then remove
the belt from the alternator pulley. Do not allow the tensioner to snap
back into position once the belt is off the pulley.
Remove the nut retaining the radiator hose brace to the back on the alternator.
If equipped, unfasten the retainers, then remove the brace from the engine and/or the alternator.
Disconnect the battery terminal boot wiring from the back of the alternator, then unplug the regulator wiring connector.
Support the alternator and remove the mounting bolts (usually 2)
from either side of the alternator, then remove the alternator from the
vehicle.
To install:
Position the alternator in the vehicle and loosely install using the mounting bolts.
If equipped, loosely install the brace to the engine and/or alternator.
Tighten the left or front alternator retaining bolts to 36 ft.
lbs. (50 Nm), the right or rear alternator bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm),
the brace bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm) and/or the brace nut to 22 ft.
lbs. (30 Nm), as applicable.
Connect and secure the alternator wiring.
Carefully relieve the serpentine drive belt tension and position
the belt over the alternator pulley, then slowly release the tensioner
into position.
If equipped, install the air inlet duct assembly.
Connect the negative battery cable.
I hope helps with this. Good luck (remember rated this help).
The location can best be seen by reading the replacement procedures. It is well hidden behind the right front wheel's splash shield. If you plan on replacing it yourself; You'll have the instructions.
Disconnect the negative battery cable...Remove the serpentine drive belt, use a wrench on the tension pulley to remove belt...Raise and support the vehicle...Remove the right front wheel...Remove the right wheel splash shield; it is two parts...Remove the alternator dust shield; it is attached with one bolt and one clip...Remove the two sets of wires from the alternator; one has a clip to connect it to the alternator and one is bolted to the alternator; be very gentle with the bolted one so you do not break the plastic insulator (especially during re-installation)...remove the upper and lower attaching bolts from the alternator; the top boltis easyto get to from the top of the engine, the bolt is just below the power steering unit...remove alternator through the wheel well opening...To re-install follow the steps in reverse.
1)Remove serpentine belt from above with 14 mm wrench on spring
loaded idler pulley.
2)Disconnected battery
3)jack up car and remove passenger front wheel
4)it helps to also remove the wheel well splash panel also for better
access.
5)crawl under car and remove battery and other connectors from the
alternator. then remove lower attachment bolts (I think there are 2
below to deal with-one is for a support bar, and one is an alternator
attachment bolt)
6)go back up to top of car and remove upper attachment bolt (this one
is a little hard to get to)
7)pull alternator out and have a alternator shop repair bad rectifier
board and any other items that need attention.
8)reinstall repaired alternator
9)leave splash cover off to provide additional cooling to the
alternator area. put wheel back on and lower car.
10) install new serpentine belt from above and reconnect battery.
If you have the time you could get the newer improved alternator from
6th planet. It has shields to improve the heat disipation.
get a floor jack and a small block of wood. place the floor jack under the oil pan. jack up the jack until you feel it on the oil pan. remove the engine mount. you will need a deep 15mm socket and a 6inch extension. the mount has 4 bolts. remove it. then jack the engine up with the floor jack until the power steering reservoir almost touches the cowl. now take a long 14mm wrench and place that on the bolt head on the belt tensioner. pull the wrench until the belt slacks up. remove the belt. Installation opposite of removal. Here is a belt diagram. I hope this helps!! If you have any problems or questions e-mail me at: [email protected]
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