How to Replace a Bad Alternator
Has your alternator went bad? Here are tips to help you repair your car and change your alternator.
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Instructions
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1
Open the hood and disconnect the battery. Analyze the alternator or serpentine belt. There should be a diagram on the front of the car under the hood, if not, draw one so you know how the belt goes around all the pulleys.
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2
Disconnect the plug in from the old alternator. Using a breaker bar and socket, put the socket on the belt tensioner and push toward the ground. Do not try to get the tensioner to move more than allowed or you could break the bolt.
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3
Remove the old belt. Unbolt the alternator and remove the old alternator. Switch alternators. With the new alternator in position, bolt the alternator into place. Plug the wiring into the new alternator.
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4
Run a new belt around the pulleys according to the diagram with the last pulley being the belt tensioner. Use the breaker bar and socket again to loosen the tension and put the new belt on the last pulley. Reattach your battery and close the hood.
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