I need to replace my alternator, but unable to find specific instructions via search.
I'm particularly concerned about how to loosen the serpentine belt so I can unbolt the alternator. It is a little crowded in there, but looks doable.
If anyone can point me to a post with instructions, you would be blessed.:cool:
Thanks in advance, john
s38638i
04-05-2009, 07:48 PM
GENERATOR - 3.3/3.8 L ENGINE
REMOVAL
Release hood latch and open hood.
Disconnect battery negative cable Removal/Installation of Battery Cables
Remove windshield wiper housing, Refer to Windshield Wipers and Washers for proper procedures.
Remove accessory drive belt, Refer toCooling System for proper procedures.
Remove bolt holding top of generator mount bracket to engine air intake plenum Generator Mounting Bracket
Remove bolts holding outside of generator mount bracket to generator mount plate.
Remove bolt holding top of generator to mount bracket.
Remove generator mount bracket from vehicle.
Rotate generator toward rear dash panel.
Disconnect the push-in field wire connector from back of generator Generator - 3.0L Engine
Remove nut holding B+ wire terminal to back of generator.
Separate B+ terminal from generator.
Remove bolt holding bottom of generator to lower pivot bracket Generator pivot Bolt
Remove generator from vehicle Generator - 3.3/3.8 L Engine
INSTALLATION
Place generator in position on vehicle.
Install bolt to hold bottom of generator to lower pivot bracket.
Place B+ terminal in position on generator.
Install nut to hold B+ wire terminal to back of generator.
Connect the push-in field wire connector into back of generator.
Rotate generator forward away from dash panel.
Place generator mount bracket in position on vehicle.
Install bolt to hold top of generator to mount bracket.
Install bolts to hold outside of generator mount bracket to generator mount plate.
Install bolt to hold top of generator mount bracket to engine air intake plenum.
Install accessory drive belt, Refer toCooling System for proper procedures.
Install windshield wiper housing, Refer to Windshield Wipers and Washers for proper procedures.
Connect battery negative cable.
Verify generator charge rate.
i got these directions for our chrysler repair manuals online, they belt should be able to be loosened with a 15mm wrench from the top. hope this helps
vabear
04-05-2009, 09:38 PM
The AUTOZONE website has picture and text, you have to register to use the repair info portion of the site (no charge) and then away you go.
OrangeEXS
04-06-2009, 01:00 AM
This is all great information!. :worthy:
Currently, I'm trying to accomplish step 4 (Remove accessory drive belt). I know this requires loosening the tensioner, but I'm not sure what I need to do to do that (and in fact not certain which pulley is the tensioner).
Thanks again!
OrangeEXS
04-06-2009, 01:42 AM
I'm attaching a picture. The alternator (alt.) is at the top and pretty much out of the picture. I'm guessing that I have the tensioner marked as #1 (and #2 is probably the harmonic balancer). If the tensioner is #1, how do I loosen it for belt removal?
If not, how do I identify it? (two other possible tensioner candidates & the A/C pulley are toward the bottom - but out of the picture).
Looking over the fender and straight at the engine, the tensioner pulley is at 9:00 O'Clock. The AUTOZONE website has a good tutorial with text and pictures, you need to register, but it is free.
Madbradthe2nd
04-06-2009, 08:29 AM
I'm not yet familiar with my Voyager but the tensioner is the one mounted on a spring loaded arm. In most cases the arm has a 3/8" square hole in it so a ratchet handle can be used to swing the tensioner arm thereby loosening the belt. The rest come off easy.
In buyng an alternator, be sure to comply with the crucial instruction found here:
Finished this job yesterday. The Chrysler repair manual online instructions posted above are essentially correct, but I have a few notes:
Step 3: "Remove windshield wiper housing, ..." This step isn't necessary on a 1997 Grand Caravan SE 3.3
Step 4: "Remove accessory drive belt ..." The tensioner to remove the drive belt is the #1 pulley in the picture above. You can also identify it from the belt diagram sticker near the radiator and under the hood. You loosen it by putting a 15mm long handle box wrench (or a socket) on the bolt at the center of the pulley. Rotate the wrench toward the front of the car about 1/8 turn (the bolt shouldn't loosen or tighten, but the pulley and attached spring loaded tensioning device will rotate away from the belt, loosening the belt just enough to slide it off one of the guides).
Step 5: "Remove bolt holding top of generator mount bracket to engine air intake plenum ..." The generator mount BRACKET is a mostly flat plate and is mounted parallel to the ground.
Step 6: "Remove bolts holding outside of generator mount bracket to generator mount plate." The generator mount PLATE is basically another flat plate mounted perpendicular to the generator mount BRACKET. The generator mount BRACKET gets removed in this procedure, the generator mount PLATE does not.
Step 8: "Rotate generator toward rear dash panel." You may need to loosen the bolt holding the bottom of generator before rotating the generator.
This was not a difficult job, but more difficult (mainly because it is in a tight place) than the one other alternator I have replaced ('89 Camry).
I believe it was the original alternator, and I did not notice anything that looked like a clutch on the alternator pulley. The replacement from Kragen was identical minus the Nippon-Denso ID plate.
Thanks again for the input from everyone!,
Cheers, john
