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How to Hook Up an Alternator to a Battery

Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive, the alternator is one of the most important components in the engine. It acts as a generator to keep the battery charged while the engine is running, and controls the flow of electricity to the various electrical components of the engine. Over time, the alternator can suffer damage from wear and tear, and you many need to install a new one in order to keep your vehicle running properly.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle on a flat surface and shut off the engine. Set the parking brake. Allow the engine to completely cool (30 minutes to an hour) and open the hood. Refer to the belt diagram on the underside of the hood or the radiator shroud cover to locate the exact installation area for the new alternator. Disconnect the negative battery connector with a wrench or socket.

2

Disconnect all of the wires to the old alternator. Follow the instructions on the diagram chart to locate and loosen the serpentine belt tensioner pulley that holds the belt tight in place, as this same belt attaches to the alternator. Use the socket and ratchet to loosen the tensioner pulley and slide the belt off. Take the now slack belt and remove it from the alternator. Loosen the bolts holding the mounting bracket for the alternator with a socket or wrench and remove the old alternator.

3

Install the new alternator. Mount it in place of the old alternator and replace the mounting brackets. Tighten the bolts in place with a socket or wrench. Reattach the wiring to the new alternator, but save the positive and negative connections for later. Slide the serpentine belt over the alternator pulley and adjust the tensioner pulley to slide the belt back in place over it. Adjust the tension on the belt until it is tight.

4

Connect the positive and negative connectors from the alternator to the battery of the car. Reattach the negative battery lead. Remove all of your tools from the engine and close the hood. Start the car and allow it to run for several minutes to ensure the belt and alternator are installed correctly.