How do you replace the alternator on an 04 dodge ram?

Answer 1

Its real easy. 1st Get a breaker bar (an extremely long ratchet like a torque wrench). Locate the idler pulley and the size the bolt for a socket that holds the idler pulley on the idler arm (Hint: The idler pulley is just a pulley connected to a springloaded assembly attached to your enginge block putting pressure on the serpentine belt so it is tight around all the component pulleys (alternator, Power Steering, crankshaft, etc. pulleys).Using the correct size socket attached to the breaker bar for leverage put the socket onto the bolt head and pull or push the bolt head of the idler puller either forward or backward (which ever way causes the tension arm to move thus moving the idler pulley so that pressure is removed from the serpentine belt). Now remove the serpentine belt. A serpentine belt diagram should be located somewhere on a decal near the radiator or some other location under the hood...if not, before you remove the serpentine belt, map out the serpentines route with pen and paper so you can put the new one on the same exact way. When putting on the new belt you will again have to position the idler pulley usig the breaker bar and socket such that you can stretch the new belt over all the component pulleys...please note...you will only have one free hand when your doing this, so make it count and be patient...you will succeed. Good luck ...maxvolt1@Verizon.net

Answer 2

WARNING: DISCONNECT NEGATIVE CABLE FROM BATTERY BEFORE REMOVING BATTERY OUTPUT WIRE (B+ WIRE) FROM GENERATOR. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. # Disconnect negative battery cable at battery. # Remove generator drive belt. # Unsnap plastic insulator cap from B+ output terminal. # Remove B+ terminal mounting nut at rear of generator. Disconnect terminal from generator. # Disconnect field wire connector at rear of generator by pushing on connector tab. # Remove 1 rear vertical generator mounting bolt. # Remove 2 front horizontal generator mounting bolts. # Remove generator from vehicle. WARNING:DISCONNECT NEGATIVE CABLE FROM BATTERY BEFORE REMOVING BATTERY OUTPUT WIRE (B+ WIRE) FROM GENERATOR. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. # Disconnect negative battery cable at battery. # Remove generator drive belt. # Unsnap plastic insulator cap from B+ output terminal. # Remove B+ terminal mounting nut at rear of generator. Disconnect terminal from generator. # Disconnect field wire connector at rear of generator by pushing on connector tab. # Remove generator support bracket nuts and bolt and remove support bracket. # Remove 2 generator mounting bolts and . # Remove generator from vehicle. WARNING: DISCONNECT BOTH NEGATIVE CABLES FROM BOTH BATTERIES BEFORE REMOVING BATTERY OUTPUT WIRE (B+ WIRE) FROM GENERATOR. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN INJURY OR DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. # Disconnect both negative battery cables at both batteries. # Remove generator drive belt. # Unsnap plastic insulator cap from B+ output terminal. # Remove B+ terminal mounting nut at rear of generator. Disconnect terminal from generator. # Disconnect field wire connector at rear of generator by pushing on connector tab. # Remove upper mounting bracket bolt. # Remove lower mounting bracket bolt and nut. # Remove generator from vehicle. # Position generator to engine and install 2 horizontal bolts and 1 vertical bolt. # Tighten all 3 bolts. Refer to Torque Specifications. # Snap field wire connector into rear of generator. # Install B+ terminal eyelet to generator output stud. Tighten mounting nut. CAUTION: Never force a belt over a pulley rim using a screwdriver. The synthetic fiber of the belt can be damaged. CAUTION: When installing a serpentine accessory drive belt, the belt MUST be routed correctly. The water pump may be rotating in the wrong direction if the belt is installed incorrectly, causing the engine to overheat. # Install generator drive belt. # Install negative battery cable to battery. # Position generator to engine and install 2 mounting bolts. # Tighten bolts. Refer to Torque Specifications. # Position support bracket to front of generator and install bolt and nuts. Tighten bolt / nuts. Refer to Torque Specifications. # Snap field wire connector into rear of generator. # Install B+ terminal eyelet to generator output stud. Tighten mounting nut. Refer to Torque Specifications. CAUTION: Never force a belt over a pulley rim using a screwdriver. The synthetic fiber of the belt can be damaged. CAUTION: When installing a serpentine accessory drive belt, the belt MUST be routed correctly. The water pump may be rotating in the wrong direction if the belt is installed incorrectly, causing the engine to overheat. # Install generator drive belt. # Install negative battery cable to battery. # Position generator to upper and lower mounting brackets and install upper bolt and lower bolt / nut. # Tighten all bolts / nut. Refer to Torque Specifications. # Snap field wire connector into rear of generator. # Install B+ terminal eyelet to generator output stud. Tighten mounting nut. CAUTION: Never force a belt over a pulley rim using a screwdriver. The synthetic fiber of the belt can be damaged. CAUTION: When installing a serpentine accessory drive belt, the belt MUST be routed correctly. The water pump may be rotating in the wrong direction if the belt is installed incorrectly, causing the engine to overheat. # Install generator drive belt. # Install both negative battery cables to both batteries.