How to Change an Alternator Belt on a 98 Galant
The alternator belt on the 98 Mitsubishi Galant controls the alternator. The belt keeps the alternator pulley turning so that the alternator can keep the battery charged. Once the alternator belt slips off of the alternator pulley or breaks, the alternator can no longer perform its function. Then the battery will become weak and drained of its charge. Regularly inspect the alternator belt for cracks on the belt.
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Instructions
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1
Pop the hood of the car and locate the car battery. Remove the negative battery cable from the battery with an adjustable wrench. The negative battery cable is connected to the negative battery post. The negative battery post will have a (-) stamped above the negative battery post. Set the negative battery cable to the side so that it does not touch anything metal.
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2
Locate the alternator. The alternator on the 1998 Mitsubishi Galant is on the top passenger side of the engine. Loosen the alternator support bolts that are holding the alternator to the alternator bracket. There is a bolt on top of the alternator and a bolt on the bottom of the alternator. Use the ratchet and 9/16 inch socket to loosen these support bolts.
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3
Locate the adjustment bracket underneath the alternator. There is a bolt running through the adjustment bracket. There is also a locking nut on the front of the bracket that keeps the alternator pulled tight to the alternator bracket. Loosen this locking nut with the ratchet and 9/16 inch socket.
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4
Move the ratchet and 9/16 inch socket to the end of the adjustment bolt. This adjustment bolt at the end of the adjustment bracket controls the tension on the alternator belt. Turn the adjustment bolt counter clockwise until the alternator belt is loose enough to remove. Remove the belt from the alternator and the other pulleys.
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Route the new alternator belt around the alternator pulley and the other pulleys that the belt came off of.
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Tighten the adjustment bolt at the end of the adjustment bracket to tighten the alternator belt back down. Use your hand to test the tension on the belt. You should be able to push the belt down about 3/4 of an inch to have the proper tension on the belt. You can also buy a belt tensioner checking tool to check belt tension. You can buy this tool at most auto parts stores.
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Tighten the lower adjustment bracket nut. Then tighten the alternator support bolts.
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Put the negative battery cable back on the negative battery post and tighten. Crank the engine and inspect the belt to make sure that the belt stays seated in the pulleys. Turn the engine off.
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Tips & Warnings
Serpentine belt checking process- If there are more cracks per square inch than here are ribs across the belt, then the belt needs to be replaced.
V-belt checking process- Measure the width of the belt. If there are more cracks per the belt width, then it is time to replace the belt. Example: If the V-belt is one inch wide and there is more than one crack in a one inch area on the belt, then the belt needs to be replaced.
Remove the keys from the ignition before working in the engine compartment in case of accidental cranking.
References
- Haynes Repair Manual: Complete Repair Guide for 1994-2003 Mitsbishi Galant: Haynes-2004
