Repair 7

How to Remove the Alternator on a 2000 Chrysler Sebring LXi

Replacing the alternator on your 2000 Chrysler Sebring is a good project to undertake at home, and it will save you from steep labor charges from the dealership or the repair shop. If the battery is not charging and the car does not stay running without the battery cables attached to the battery, the alternator is more than likely not putting out the voltage required for the proper operation of the ignition system. Removing the alternator from your car allows for bench testing, to verify that the unit is truly faulty.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the car and locate the negative battery cable (it bolts to the inner fender well, on the drivers side of the engine compartment). Remove the bolt with a socket and ratchet, then remove the cable and set it aside, isolating it from any metal surface so that it cannot ground and complete the electrical circuit.

2

Locate the field circuit connector on the rear of the alternator. Depress the locking clip and pull the wire and connector from the alternator. Lay the wire and connector aside.

3

Remove the nut from the "B" terminal on the rear of the alternator with a wrench, then remove the cable from the terminal. Lay the cable aside.

4

Locate the mounting bolt at the top of the alternator and loosen it with a socket and ratchet. Loosen the pivot bolt, then remove the drive belt from the alternator pulley. Set the spacers from the pivot bolt aside for later reuse.

5

Remove the top mounting bolt from the alternator, then raise the alternator out of the engine compartment. Position the new alternator in the engine compartment and insert the upper mounting bolt to hold it in place. Slide the drive belt over the pulley, then insert the pivot bolt, being sure to put the spacers back in the proper order.

6

Pull the bottom of the alternator toward the drivers side of the car until the belt is tight, then tighten the pivot bolt with a socket and ratchet. Tighten the upper mounting bolt with a socket and ratchet once the pivot bolt is secure.

7

Install the large cable on the "B" terminal at the rear of the alternator, followed by the retaining nut; tighten the nut with a wrench, then plug the field circuit connector into the rear of the alternator. Push it in until the locking tab engages.

8

Reinstall the negative battery cable on the drivers side fender well and secure the bolt with a wrench.