How to replace alternator on a 1999 Chevy Lumina?

Answer 1

Come on............there has to be at least on genious among us, Does anyone know the proper way to change a alternator on a '99 Lumina?

Thanks, kram

*** ok.

I've done it a couple of times. Once on a '95, once on a '99. Real knuckle banger! It helps to have 3 hands...

There's a belt tensioner on the serpentine belt. It's obvious by the SQUARE bolt holding it. If you don't have the factory tool (you don't need it..) use a large crescent wrench. Torque the head so the belt loosens - I don't remember which way - and remove the belt from the alternator pulley. The alternator is the top-back pulley on the belt, closest to the firewall.

No need to remove the belt from anything else. Real pain if you do...

OK. REMOVE THE NEGATIVE FROM THE BATTERY (on the driver's side, under the washer reservoir). It would be silly to accidentially fry the electronics, or weld a tool to the a/c..

I found it easier to remove the wiring on the alternator at this point, many would disagree. Unclip the wiring from the unit, tuck out of the way. Remove the hot wire by pulling the small rubber boot back to expose the nut.

As I recall, there are 3 bolts on the alternator. 2 on top, fairly easy and obvious, and one on the bottom. The bottom one has a nut holding it on, the other two just back out. Good luck removing the bottom one, guaranteed bloody knuckle on this one.

Should be out. I think that's close to it. When putting the new one in, don't cheat on the bottom bolt. It's very tempting to not deal with it. Don't cheat.

Good luck.