How do you replace the alternator on a 1996 Saturn SC?

Answer 1

Loosen up the lugnuts on the passenger side front wheel. Jack up the passenger side front of the vehicle. Take off the wheel. Remove the splash shields that cover the inside of the wheel well. If you look from the passenger side top of the engine, you will see the belt connected to up to 7 pulleys. No matter how many pulleys you see (it will depend on if your car has AC, etc..) the alternator is connected to the bottom left pulley. You can distinguish the alternator because right behind the pulley is a small fan, connected to the alternator itself. Directly to the right of the alternator is your tensioner pulley, held on by a nut. Get a wrench that will fit that nut, and turn it clockwise. This will loosen the tension on the belt, but hold it in that position with one hand because the pulley is springloaded, and will spring back into place as soon as you let off tension. Take the belt off of the alternator pulley. If your belt is getting old, mine as well replace it now because you'll kick yourself later on when you could have just spent the $20 and had it over with. Now, just loosen the bolts from the alternator and disconnect the wiring. If your new alternator came with a pulley already, you are ready for install. If not, you will have to get a pulley puller and remove the pulley from the old alternator and press it onto the new one. (TIP: most chain auto parts stores will do this for you!) Connect the wiring to the new one, and bolt it in place. Turn the tensioner pulley nut clockwise again, and put the belt around the alternator pulley, making sure that the belt did not slip off of any other components. Put the wheel well back together and put the wheel back on. Congratulations, your done.