1. Disconnect the battery
- Engage the parking brake and put the car in Park (automatic transmission) or first gear (manual transmission).
- Locate the negative battery terminal (usually marked with a "-" sign) and loosen the nut or bolt holding the negative cable in place.
- Remove the negative cable and move it aside to avoid accidental contact with the battery terminal.
2. Remove the serpentine belt
- Locate the serpentine belt tensioner, usually a pulley with a spring-loaded arm.
- Use a suitable tool (often a 1/2-inch breaker bar or long-handled ratchet) to rotate the tensioner arm and release the tension on the belt.
- Remove the belt by slipping it off the pulleys.
3. Disconnect electrical connections
- Locate the electrical connections to the alternator. There will typically be two or three connectors with electrical wires.
- Disconnect these connectors by pressing down on the retaining tabs and sliding them off the alternator terminals.
4. Remove the alternator
- Locate the mounting bolts that hold the alternator in place. These are usually located at the back or bottom of the alternator.
- Use a wrench to loosen and remove the mounting bolts.
- Carefully maneuver the alternator out of the vehicle, being mindful of any wires or hoses that may be nearby.
5. Install the new alternator
- Position the new alternator in place, aligning the mounting holes with the bolts.
- Insert and loosely tighten the mounting bolts.
- Reconnect the electrical connectors that you disconnected earlier.
- Ensure the connections are secure and the terminals snap back into place.
- Tighten the mounting bolts until they are snug.
6. Reinstall the serpentine belt
- Slip the serpentine belt back onto the pulleys, starting with the crankshaft pulley.
- Rotate the tensioner pulley to apply tension to the belt.
- Double-check that the belt is properly aligned and tight.
7. Reconnect the battery
- Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery terminal and tighten the nut or bolt.
8. Test the alternator
- Start the engine and let it idle.
- Turn on headlights and other electrical accessories to put a load on the alternator.
- Check the battery voltage using a multimeter. The voltage should be between 13.5-14.5 volts with the accessories on.
If the voltage is within the specified range, the alternator should be charging the battery properly. Be sure to double-check all connections to make sure they are secure.
