Alternator Change For Dummies

[FormulaNERD]

ok, car was acting funny, and since i had another alternator that i picked up from another member cheap, i decided to change mine out. i took some pictures, and made a really simple how-to... this is a very easy job, i'd say 2/5 in difficulty.


Step 1: Remove serpentine belt from ONLY the alternator pulley
: Insert 3/8" drive ratchet without a socket into belt tensioner as shown in picture
: Push toward passenger seat and slide belt off pulley (toward passenger side wheel)

http://img166.exs.cx/img166/934/dsc00812small7uo.th.jpg (http://img166.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img166&image=dsc00812small7uo.jpg)

Step 2: Loosen and remove bolt closest you as shown in second picture

http://img98.exs.cx/img98/6586/dsc00819small7je.th.jpg (http://img98.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img98&image=dsc00819small7je.jpg)

Step 3: Using a 6" extension and a universal joint, loosen left bolt on the rear of the alternator as pictured

http://img98.exs.cx/img98/4788/dsc00815small1sj.th.jpg (http://img98.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img98&image=dsc00815small1sj.jpg)
http://img98.exs.cx/img98/7342/dsc00814small9xj.th.jpg (http://img98.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img98&image=dsc00814small9xj.jpg)

Step 4: Using the same method as above, remove nut on the right rear side

http://img98.exs.cx/img98/4363/dsc00820small6ub.th.jpg (http://img98.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img98&image=dsc00820small6ub.jpg)
http://img98.exs.cx/img98/3413/dsc00821small9vd.th.jpg (http://img98.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img98&image=dsc00821small9vd.jpg)

Step 5: Disconnect the wire harness plug on the front (shown in yellow)
: Rotate the Alternator to the left (passenger wheel) to access the output terminal and remove rubber boot by sliding it down away from the nut.

http://img57.exs.cx/img57/3583/dsc00822small1xa.th.jpg (http://img57.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img57&image=dsc00822small1xa.jpg)

Step 6: Remove the nut mentioned in step five (you may have to hold the nut/bolt it's attached to with a wrench as it may twist when you try to loosen it

Step 7: Pull Alternator out, replace with new one, and reverse each step mentioned to reassemble


i hope this helps someone :thumbsup:

total time... 20 min while taking pictures in the dark :)

[-Alero-]

so did the belt just come right off, with out any trouble?

[FormulaNERD]

yes, if you follow step one and apply pressure forward (toward the pass. seat) all the tension on the belt is released, and you can easily remove it.

if you're weak, try using a longer ratchet handle/breaker bar or a cheater. i'm a big guy, and probably make it sound easier than it will be for the average joe.

[turtles_ride]

I bought smokinAMDs blue powder coated higher output alternator. So after i take out the old one its just a straight swap?

[FormulaNERD]

yes, should be the same exact procedure. inspect the alternator, there should be a plug receptacle (pic in step 5) and an output terminal (same picture, circled in red)

[bigd6983]

ok but heres the question though, in an ebay auction when swapping with a higher output alternator it strong recomends upgrading to 4 gauge wire, from the alternator to the battery.......to anyone who has put in a larger amp alternator and done the wire upgrade, exactly where does that 8 or 10 gauge wire run to from the alternator cause i can only follow it for so long......ive been lookin to do this upgrade cause i think mines about to end its life anyway.....anyone whos done it please post

[jackal2000]

^^^good question, i am switching to a high output alt tomorrow but i wasnt planning on changing any wires :unsure:

[bigd6983]

alrite cmon people i know some of you have done it.......and it makes sense to upgrade the wire seeing as you will have way more amperage......it looks to me like it runs to the distribution block under the hood and then from there to the battery but im not too sure.....

[FormulaNERD]

even the "high output" alternators for the alero arent really that high output, wiring probably isnt an issue.

[bigd6983]

a jump from 105 to 160 amps is a decent size jump......i know id feel more comfortable with a thicker wire.....another 55 amps is enough for me to wanna upgrade that weenie size wire thats on there right now....

[FormulaNERD]

well how much current can 8 gauge carry? that's the question.

[jamcllw]

Doesn't exactly answer Formulas question but it does have a nice chart for automotive wire sizes.

http://www.kayjayco.com/techPractical.htm

[FormulaNERD]

good find

[jackal2000]

so that site is basically saying that the factory installed the wrong wire to begin with :o

or am i not reading it right?

[bigd6983]

yea so 4 gauge would be better to use.......i dont know about you guys if something is 105 amps and maybe the wire can handle up to 110.......id rather spring for an upgrade the test those extra 5 amps.......just makes me feel a little safer.....

[jackal2000]

just got the alt installed, i'll let you guys know if i have any issues.

[bigd6983]

well i hope you dont, maybe you can run it for a while and then do the 4 gauge swap and let us know if you notice a difference.......

[jackal2000]

after driving the car around town for a bit last night i stopped to check the wire and it was hot as f***. 4 gauge wire is definitely in order.

[FormulaNERD]

any wire sitting right on top the engine is gonna be hot as f***, lol.

but let us know how the wire swap goes.

[kampfer422]

well, upgrading is definitely needed. 8 gauge wire over a 3ft span is only good for like 600watts of power or less. Take a look at this chart and it will help you 12V Wiring Sheet (http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp) ,so i would expect you need atleat 4 gauge, 0 gauge would be better. But you will be doing the big 3 upgrade which is alty to battert postive, negative to ground and alty to ground. I think also it is suggested you up the fuses also but thats just what one guy who was going to rebuild my alty said to take full advantage of the upgraded alty. Right now i bet you aren't even getting half the power that alty can give. My friend had a rebuilt 120amp alt for his camaro and that was such a good alt, when he turned on his headlights and gave it some gas, the interior lights actually got brighter.

[bigd6983]

Originally posted by kampfer422@Sep 24 2005, 11:55 PM
well, upgrading is definitely needed. 8 gauge wire over a 3ft span is only good for like 600watts of power or less. Take a look at this chart and it will help you 12V Wiring Sheet (http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp) ,so i would expect you need atleat 4 gauge, 0 gauge would be better. But you will be doing the big 3 upgrade which is alty to battert postive, negative to ground and alty to ground. I think also it is suggested you up the fuses also but thats just what one guy who was going to rebuild my alty said to take full advantage of the upgraded alty. Right now i bet you aren't even getting half the power that alty can give. My friend had a rebuilt 120amp alt for his camaro and that was such a good alt, when he turned on his headlights and gave it some gas, the interior lights actually got brighter.
Quoted post


lol dude if uve never looked at what has to be done compared to what should be done it aint that easy.........main power wire goes into the distribution block(NOT EASY TO REPLACE WITH A THICKER WIRE), alt to ground?????? dude its grounded to the block lol.......no wire there buddy.......ive never checked the battery to ground wire but im sure its pretty simple but like i said never looked at it........changing the alt out is easy...........but the wiring isnt........

[kampfer422]

does anyone have a link for a 160amp alty for 04 V6 alero?

[jackal2000]

Originally posted by kampfer422@Oct 29 2005, 04:55 AM
does anyone have a link for a 160amp alty for 04 V6 alero?
Quoted post

try ebay

[speg80]

Just bought high output alt. How do I beef up wiring from alt. to battery? Can I run a direct line?

[bigd6983]

Originally posted by speg80@Jan 29 2006, 04:48 AM
Just bought high output alt. How do I beef up wiring from alt. to battery? Can I run a direct line?
Quoted post


thats the same question ive been asking....i think you can, but u would want to put a good size fuse inbetween it and the battery

[Redog]

Is it easy to get the pulley off the alternator?

I have an aftermarket pulley on mine and want to keep it.

This is good becuase I want to paint the alt anyway

[-Alero-]

Originally posted by Redog@Jun 23 2006, 11:58 AM
Is it easy to get the pulley off the alternator?

I have an aftermarket pulley on mine and want to keep it.

This is good becuase I want to paint the alt anyway
Quoted post



yeah i cant get my pulley off :(