How to change an alternator

Hi:

To remove the belt, you must loosen the belt tensioner pretty far.
It is located up near the front of the engine, not far from the air conditioning compressor. It has a 10mm bolt that must be loosened, and that will allow the belt to be removed. After the Alternator is replaced, tighten the belt back up, and start the car , shut it back down and adjust the belt as needed.

Please let me know if you have questions, and thanks for using FixYa.

1.8L Engine
A/C Compressor-Power Steering Pump Belt

NOTE Refer to the accompanying illustration for bolt and nut locations.

1. Loosen bolt A , nut B and nut C
2. Loosen tension adjusting bolt D
3. Remove the drive belt

To install:

Route the belt over the pulleys.

Fig. Removing the A/C and P/S pump belt-1.8L engine

1. Tighten bolt A and nuts B and C, as follows:
   1. Bolt A: 27-39 ft. lbs. (37-53 Nm)
   2. Nut B: 14-19 ft. lbs. (19-25 Nm)
   3. Nut C: 24-34 ft. lbs. (32-46 Nm)
   
   
2. Check the belt tension and adjust as necessary.

Alternator Belt

1. Remove the A/C and power steering pump belt, if equipped.
2. Loosen the alternator mounting bolt and adjusting bolt.
3. Remove the alternator belt.

Fig. Alternator belt-1.8L engine

To install:

1. Install the alternator belt and adjust, as outlined earlier.
2. Tighten the bolts, as follows:
   1. Mounting bolt: 27-38 ft. lbs. (37-52 Nm)
   2. Adjusting bolt: 14-18 ft. lbs. (19-26 Nm)
   
   
3. Install the A/C and power steering pump belt, if equipped.
4. Check the belt tension and adjust as necessary.

always take the negative battery terminal off to avoid shorting the charge wire. Next, remove the serpentine belt by twisting the tensioner loose. Then you can remove the alternator bolts. Let me know if you have more questions.

First, feel the tightness of your belts. You will have to tighten the new belts to the proper tightness. If they are too tight, they will wear the bearings prematurely. If they are too loose, they will slip.

Alternator Belt Removal

1. Loosen the alternator lock nut.
2. Loosen the adjuster bolt.
3. Rotate the adjuster bolt counter clockwise to release the tension on the belt.
4. Remove the belt.
   

Similarly for the compressor belt

1. Loosen the lock nut.
   
2. Loosen the adjuster bolt.
3. Rotate the adjuster bolt counter clockwise to release the tension on the belt.
4. Remove the belt.

5. Install the new compressor belt

6. Rotate the adjuster bolt clockwise until the belt is tight like it was before you removed it.

7. Tighten the lock bolt.

8. Install the new alternator belt

9. Rotate the adjuster bolt clockwise until the belt is tight like it was before you removed it.

10. Tighten the lock bolt.

11. enjoy life

Loosen alternator bracket bolt at top of alternator.

Loosen adjustment lock bolt on passenger side of alternator.

Loosen adjustment bolt under front of alternator until belt can be removed.

Suggest replacing all the belts also. 1st belt, remove coolant reservoir. Loosen the pulley next to the res. then there is a tension bolt behind it. get under the car, the alternator is right there on the passenger side. possible under a small shield. Loosen all the bolts on the alternator, then there is a tentioner on the alternator. Loosen that, remove belt, then take out the rest of the bolts, along with the plug and the ground wire to the alternator. for the P/S belt, loosen the other pulley 14mm, and then the tention bolt is another 12mm.

1996 Nissan/Datsun Sentra 1.6L SFI DOHC 4cyl

Nissan Sentra/Pulsar/NX 1982-1996 Repair Guide
The alternators for Pulsar and Sentra have not changed much over the years. However, the 1987-88 alternators for Pulsar and Sentra have a different internal diode assembly.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. Disconnect the 2 lead wires and connector from the alternator.
3. Loosen the drive belt adjusting bolt and remove the belt.
4. Unscrew the alternator attaching bolts and remove the alternator from the vehicle.

To install:

1. Install the alternator and retaining bolts loosely.
2. Install the belt and connect the wiring.
3. Adjust the belt as outlined in . Torque the retaining bolts to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).

I hope help you with this (rated this help).

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

3.3L Engine:

1. Disconnect the battery negative - cable.
2. Disconnect the alternator field circuit plug.
3. Remove the B+ terminal nut and wire.
4. Loosen the adjusting T-bolt, but do not remove it.
5. Loosen the pivot bolt, but do not remove it either.
6. Remove the alternator drive belt.
7. Remove the adjusting T-bolt, pivot bolt, and mounting bolt, be careful not to loose the spacer.
8. Remove the mounting bolt.
9. Remove the spacer & washer
10. Remove alternator.

To install:

1. Attachthe alternator to the support bracket. Tighten all bracket andalternator (except for the wiring nuts) bolts to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).Install the B+ terminal nut and wire and tighten to 75 inch lbs. (9 Nm).
2. Install the drive belt onto the alternator pulley. Make certain that the belt is seated correctly on the pulley.
3. Connect the negative - battery cable.

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3.5L Engine:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Loosen the lower mounting bolt but do not remove it.
3. Loosen the pivot bolt, but do not remove it.
4. Loosen the belt adjusting bolt.
5. Remove the alternator drive belt.
6. Remove the bracket.
7. Remove the lower mounting bolt and pivot bolt.
8. Remove the alternator.
9. Disconnect the alternator field circuit plug.
10. Remove the B+ terminal nut and wire.

To Install:

1. Attach the alternator and bracket to the engine, then tighten the mounting bolts to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm).
2. Install the drive belt onto the alternator pulley. Make certain that the belt is seated correctly on the pulley.
3. Install and tighten the B+ terminal nut and wire to 75 inch lbs. (9 Nm) onto the new alternator.
4. Connect the alternator field circuit plug.
5. Connect the negative battery cable.

If you need photos to follow then try this link...
http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528006a83e

loosen the bolt that is holding the adjuster of the alternator. loosen the belt by pulling it and the alternator would slide in. remove and replace the belt.

do the reverse on installation.

remember to tighten all bolts of the adjuster and alternator after tightening the belt.

tnx 4 using fixya,

drcool

First, you will need a lot of money. A GM air conditioner compressor is very expensive.

I would only let a qualified mechanic make this replacement.

After all, the compressor costs about 800 to 1,000 dollars. i would only trust a mechanic to work on my cadillac