How do you change the alternator on a 1999 Chrysler Town and Country?

Answer 1

Disconnect the battery. Put it on the charger (optional)

Remove the wipers, after marking how the arms line up to the posts (or not, whatever).

Remove the plastic cowl (requires torx or allen wrench for the 6 screws, there are 2 quarter turn plastic pieces that you can break off if you want, and 4 little nut looking things under the hood). This is the second hardest to separate from the vehicle.

Remove the wiper assembly, 4 nuts on top, 6 bolts into the firewall. Be careful to remove the brittle drain tubes from underneath either side. Also, disconnect the wiper wiring connector. Lift at a slight angle.

Remove the belt (the tensioner is in front and below the alternator. Put a 15 millimeter box-end wrench on there and push clockwise to relieve tension).

Loosen the bolts that hold the alternator bracket on top, including the top alternator bolt and the bolt into the intake plenum. Now remove the bolts and bracket.

Push the alternator back and carefully disconnect the plug. Un-bolt (10 millimeter) the cable from the B+ terminal. If you can't quite get it off, proceed to the next step, but don't pull too hard.

Remove the lower (pivot) bolt. This will require holding the nut on the inside with a box-end wrench while using a ratchet on the bolt head. Remove the alternator from the mount gently wiggling and pulling. I found cursing helps a little. If you didn't before, disconnect the electrical connections.

Getting the old alternator out is a bit like a bar puzzle (you know the kind with 2 twisted up nails?). Turn it around to fit how ever it makes sense, the new one goes in the same way, so pay attention.

Installation is the reverse of removal (by definition).

Be sure to tighten the pivot (lower) bolt to respectably tight (there's a little sleeve that will MASH up to the mount); it acts as a ground and if not a sure connection the alternator will not charge. You don't want to have to do this again, right?