How-To: Replace An Alternator

Strapped for cash this holiday season? Replacing an alternator can cost you several hundred bucks at the local repair shop, but it's one of the simplest repairs you can do at home. With a few tools and about an hour you can swap it out yourself -- and keep your dough in your pocket where it belongs.

Note: As this is a Craftsman-sponsored project, you'll notice a number of Craftsman tools in the photos, including Cross Force Wrenches. But here's a secret: we already owned 'em all. They're the same tools we'd have used if they weren't sponsors. Really!

Step 1 Disconnect The Battery

First and most importantly: disconnect the battery. There may be several wires or just one wire on your alternator, but rest assured that one of them is hot. If you don't disconnect the battery, you're very likely to end up grounding a live wire during the process. This causes cause all manner of bad things to occur -- not the least of which is giving you quite a shock.

Comments

[GearheadDiva]

Well done - thanks for sharing!

[tlynch1]

don't forget if you go to a local shop that specializes in building these you can save even more for much better quality
all the rebuilds i've ever got from parts stores i had tested at there shop if possible ( there really hit or miss)
but the original alternators on most cars i've worked on are much better quality than lo dollar new or rebuilt ones get it just rebuilt or do it yourself with a parts kit and it will last a lot longer
most only have a few electrical components brushes and bearings go bad after a long time theirs not much to them starters are also fairly similar
last one was a 25$ rebuild for a (new350$) Toyota starter just needed some new contacts and a the solenoid contact

[Doggie Stylish]

thanks for sharing! I have a '88 GMC Sierra and they are ridiculously easy to work on. I just might try to do change my own alternator next time.

[anitcol]

Nanosec. Belt removal is just as forward as taking the alternator off. All cars have a small diagram on how the belt should be. Great instructions!

[Yerboogieman]

I always have to replace my alternator. Lifetime warranty :-). I can practically do it with my eyes closed.

[ghans_00]

Hi guys I'm currently working on a car alternator as a generator, I'd like to prove and see it for my self how much torque it would require to properly pull the alternator to producing voltage greater than 12. Right now, I,ve seen it work @ about 2100rpm ( measurement taken on a 2" diameter mounted shaft. But still my design doesn't produce much torque, Can any body help/direct me to some ideas were i could find the possible answers to my question. Thanks to all, This is just a experiment for our data gathering purposes, pls. be kind, I'm just a plane beginner sourcing for info. Many thanks!

[unaffiliatedperson]

im not sure bout torque. but maybe change out the voltage regulator and put a smaller pulley so itl spin faster if its belt driven.

[ghans_00]

uh... it's such an informative suggestion. thanks a lot sir... God bless us all...

[Andruha1123]

ohh man, i just paid 235 bucks to replace mine :(

[JerryMopar]

Id like to see you do an instructable for doing a alt. on a SATURN!!! muahahaha A SBC alt is WAY too easy!

[Yerboogieman]

SL2? those are fast little cars.

[Brock Samson]

haha i agree.

[candle360]

nice 350, i have a 65 chevy with a 283. the alternator's never gone bad though, and it has over 300k miles. awesome truck

[bassbindevil]

Just make sure it really is the alternator that's bad. Profanity will result if you find it was really something else like corroded cables or battery clamp, a slipping belt, or bad regulator (if the alternator has a separate one). There's inexpensive rebuild kits for some common alternators if you're really thrifty and want a little more challenge, although maybe no cheaper than a junkyard or swapmeet alternator. JC Whitney has rebuild kits, including some that convert the alternator for higher output. While you've got the alternator in pieces on the kitchen table, another pimptastic option is a shiny case or pulley and fan from the chrome aisle of the auto parts store. Or refinish the original case and fan to taste. Aluminum polishes up nicely, or can be wire-brushed or sanded to a satin finish and clearcoated.

[nanosec]

This is one of the things I'm glad I came across. There will be a day when an alternator fails on me and this instructable will come to mind if I really want to do it myself. Thanks very much. I know it sounds silly, but this sounds like a pretty straightforward job, compared to what i thought it was before I read the instructable, the only thing that sounds worrysome is the belt removal.

[LinuxH4x0r]

My dad's 96 ram 2500 van needs this soon...

[knexfan9182]

just what my dad needed to fix an 1988 Oldsmobile

[VK3PK]

General rule with disconnecting the battery is to disconnect the "earthed" (usually -ve ) connector first followed by the active(usually+ve) last. This minimises the chance of big sparks & fires, if you do the +ve first & accidently short the spanner to ground. NEVER attempt work on alternators & starter motors without disconnecting the battery. Write the radio unlock code using a black marker pen in your glove box.

[Phil B]

Before disconnecting the battery, check to see if your radio has an active anti-theft code. If you disconnect the battery without first deactivating the anti-theft code, your radio system will no longer work.

[Wyle_E]

The first step is to visualize the removal steps for your car before you turn a wrench. On some cars, like the 1970 Pontiac that I used to have, it's easier than this instructable (the alternator was the belt tensioner, and there was lots of room under the hood). On some cars it's a nightmare. If you plan to keep the car until it dies and want to do your own repairs, a vehicle-specific shop manual is a good investment. Look at a big auto supply store. Every car has a few non-obvious details that can make the difference between a smooth operation and several hours of scratching your head and busting knuckles.