- Car jack and jack stands
- Socket set
- Ratchet
- Extension bars
- Torque wrench
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
Step 1: Prepare the Car
1. Park the car on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down.
3. Open the hood and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
4. Raise the front of the car with a car jack and place it on jack stands to provide stability while you work.
Step 2: Remove the Serpentine Belt
1. Locate the serpentine belt tensioner. It is usually a pulley with a spring-loaded arm.
2. Use a ratchet and a socket to loosen the tensioner bolt.
3. Once the tension is released, remove the serpentine belt by slipping it off the pulleys.
Step 3: Remove the Alternator Bracket
1. Locate the alternator bracket. It is usually bolted to the engine block and supports the alternator.
2. Use a ratchet and a socket to remove the bolts that hold the bracket in place.
3. Once the bolts are removed, remove the bracket from the engine compartment.
Step 4: Disconnect the Alternator Wiring
1. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the alternator. There should be two or three connectors, depending on the model.
2. Make sure to label the connectors so that you can reconnect them correctly later on.
Step 5: Remove the Alternator Bolts
1. Locate the bolts that hold the alternator to the engine block.
2. Use a ratchet and a socket to remove the bolts.
Step 6: Remove the Alternator
1. Once the bolts are removed, you can carefully remove the alternator from the engine compartment.
Step 7: Reverse the Steps to Reinstall
1. To reinstall the alternator, simply reverse the steps you followed to remove it.
2. Make sure to tighten all the bolts and reconnect all the electrical connectors securely.
Step 8: Reconnect the Battery
1. Reconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
2. Close the hood and lower the car.
Start the engine and check that the alternator is working properly. Charge light should go off after running briefly at start up. The voltage should be between 13.5 and 14.5 volts as measured with a voltmeter at the battery terminals.
