How do you replace the alternator on a 1997 Chevy Cavalier?

Answer 1

TAke the belt off, then the neg battery cable. Remove the wires and mounting bolts.

I would add that it's a very tight fit but you can remove the old unit and insert the new unit without having remove or relocate other parts/brackets. I did the job myself, and there were several times I almost gave up - but it can be done it just takes time to rotate and jimmy it into the position for mounting.

Answer 2

* Disconnect the negative battery cable.If the vehicle is equipped with a delco loc 2 or theftlock audio system make sure to have the activation code before disconnecting the battery. * Remove the drivebelt * Label and detach the wires from the backside of the alternator * Remove the mounting bolts and separate the alternator from the engine

Answer 3

First disconnect the negative battery cable, then unplug the diodes from the alternator, (should be the only plug). Next unscrew the battery cable (waring, if u did not connect the negative battery cable this wire it hot at all times, so you can get shocked if its still connected) then remove the belt, remove the bolts and it wil come out, just put the new one in, bolts in, all wires back to the same place and the belt back on.

unbolt it

Answer 4

well, I just changed mine, 1.- DISCONECT THE BATTERY, 2.- the alternator has I believe 2 screws across , you have to remove these screws, be careful when you remove the screw where the belt goes, dont let the belt get out of the wheel, you could try to hold the belt with something so it wont get out of the wheel (there are 3 wheels where the belt goes), get the new alternator and present it next to the old one, and you will see the screws, then remove first one screw and so on, when you finish removing the screws, remove the old alternator and set the new one in the place where the old one was, you might have to sand a screw if its bigger in the gap, I just dont remember, but you have to sand so it will fit, put the belt back in place, but you need a bar to move the belt from the rear so it will shift to tie the belt right in place. then just tie the screws. Probably this overall what you do., its not dificult, don't forget that you have to use a bar to shift the wheel in the back. I hope this give you an idea. good luck...but it's not difficult. ps. If I did it, anyone can do it.

Answer 5

I assume your car is A 2.2, The hardest thing is getting the belt off and back on, Remove the belt, unbolt the alt from the engine, unplug the wires and unbolt the battery wire from it, Its not very difficult to do on this car, If your not very experienced with this kind of thing You can do it still , it should take you about 1 1/2 hours. Good luck.

Answer 6

* Disconnect the negative battery cable.If the vehicle is equipped with a delco loc 2 or theftlock audio system make sure to have the activation code before disconnecting the battery. * Remove the drivebelt * Label and detach the wires from the backside of the alternator * Remove the mounting bolts and separate the alternator from the engine