Removing the Alternator

• 1). Open the hood to access the engine compartment. Disconnect the negative and positive terminal on the battery with a socket wrench.
  
  
• 2). Locate the tensioner pulley at the middle of the motor. Push the tensioner pulley down by inserting a 3/8-inch empty socket in to the square at the top of the pulley. Pull the belt off the alternator pulley with your fingers. Release the tensioner puller.
  
  
• 3). Disconnect the wiring harness at the back of the alternator. Pull the tab up and slide the connector out of the socket on the alternator. Unbolt the negative terminal by backing the nut off the stud. Pull the negative lead off the stud.
  
  
• 4). Unbolt the two bolts holding the alternator bracket in place. The bolts are located at the top and bottom of the alternator.
  
  
• 5). Unbolt the two bolts holding the alternator in place, one on the top right of the alternator and one on the bottom. Use a socket wrench to remove the bolts.
  
  
• 6). Pull the alternator straight out from the engine compartment.
  
  
• 7). Place the alternator in a vise. Lock the vise around the pulley to lock the pulley in place.
  
  
• 8). Unbolt the pulley with a socket wrench. Slide the pulley off the alternator.
  
  

Installing the Alternator

• 1). Bolt the pulley onto the new alternator. Use the vise to ensure the pulley is tight on the alternator.
  
  
• 2). Place the alternator onto the mounting brackets in the engine compartment. Start threading both bolts before tightening the bolts. Tighten with the socket wrench.
  
  
• 3). Position the bracket in the same location where it was removed. Start the bolts before tightening the bracket. Tighten the bracket down with a socket wrench.
  
  
• 4). Connect the harness to the back of the alternator. Push in until it clicks in place. Slide the negative post onto the negative stud. Tighten the nut with a socket wrench.
  
  
• 5). Push the tensioner pulley down with the socket wrench. Place the belt on to the alternator pulley.
  
  
• 6). Connect the positive and negative terminal to the battery. Ensure the red cable is on the positive (+) side, and the black cable is on the negative (-) side.
  
  
• 7). Start the car up to ensure it will generate and hold a charge. Allow the car to run for 15 minutes to build the battery. Shut the car down for an hour to determine if the alternator was the source of the problem. When the car starts after sitting for an extended amount of time then the charging system is working effectively.