Datsunfan Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 My 96 Cutlass Supreme 3.1 needs a new alternator, or so the parts store's tester says. I have been searching this forum for 2 hours and can't figure out how to change it. I got the belt loose by releasing the tensioner. And disconnected the negative battery cable of course. Then I took off one 13mm bolt from the top that was about 1-2 inches long. Then another very long (4-5 inch) 13 mm bolt and nut from the bottom. What else is holding it? There is a 10mm nut on some kind of a stud at the back, looks like it goes to a bracket that holds the power steering hoses/lines. Do I have to take all the power steering lines and hoses off too? Where is the power connector? I can see the stud with the red plastic cover for the positive connector but shouldn't there be another connector somewhere? Thanks for any help!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 There are 3 bolts that hold the alternator on. From the sounds of it you still need to take one of the two "top" bolts off. One, I think the 13mm, attaches the alternator to a mounting arm that bolts to the rear head, the other, 10mm, I think, attaches it to a bracket that also holds the power steering pump. Removing this bolt will not affect the power steering pump. There are two electrical connections, one is the main power, single red wire, mounts on the stud on the alternator and is held on with a nut. The other is a 4 or 5 wire electrical connector that is near the main power wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted June 20, 2009 Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 there is a piece of plastic that retains the PS lines. you may to pop the lines free of it(there is plenty of line slack, btw) and then remove it, as covers the last bolt you must remove. that $#^&*$^# piece of plastic needs to be put back to keep the PS hoses from flopping around and becoming damaged once the new alternator is on. first times a bitch, but once you've done it once... you'll get the hang of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsunfan Posted June 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Thank you Robby 1870 and Crazy K, it's off now. Came off exactly as you said. Very helpful! This is a great forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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