Find the serpentine belt’s tensioner pulley. To remove the strain on the belt, place a wrench on the bolt’s head and turn it counterclockwise. You might insert a 3/8 inch drive ratchet into a 3/8 inch inset on some tensioner pulleys and turn them counterclockwise to release the strain on the belt. Just the alternator pulley’s pulley needs the belt removed. The full belt does not need to be taken off.
In This Article...
How much does a Hyundai Sonata alternator cost?
A Hyundai Sonata alternator replacement typically costs between $532 and $860. While parts are priced between $415 and $713, labor costs are expected to be between $117 and $148.
How much does a Hyundai alternator replacement cost?
A Hyundai Elantra alternator replacement typically costs between $586 and $878. While parts are priced between $513 and $786, labor costs are predicted to range between $73 and $92. Taxes and levies are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or special location taken into account.
How long does a Hyundai Sonata alternator last?
Many drivers don’t even consider an alternator as a potential problem. It discreetly goes to work generating the necessary electricity for your car’s components. An alternator typically lasts for at least eight years and has a lengthy lifespan. Your alternator may last a lot longer or it may wear out considerably more quickly depending on driving circumstances, maintenance, and driving style. We want you to be aware of the indications that an alternator repair is necessary as your Hyundai dealer.
How is a step-by-step alternator replacement performed?
Every job has a difficult section, and removing the belt from the pulley is the difficult section for replacing an alternator. Your vehicle has a tensioner pulley somewhere on it. It must be moved far enough for the belt to come off the pulley. We had to use a tool to draw back the typical spring-loaded GM tensioner on our 1995 GMC. Some vehicles include rod-end or screw-type tensioners, which work by applying pressure as a bolt is turned through threads to change the length of a rod. To remove the belt in this situation, simply crank the bolt or rod end with a wrench or socket until the strain is released.
In our situation, we seized a Craftsman 17mm Cross Force wrench and applied considerable pressure. That would typically be a horrible experience, but the Cross Force was created specifically for such a scenario. The Cross Force wrenches have a 90-degree twist in the centre, which causes you to push on a flat surface. So we could use more force without feeling uncomfortable. We simply fought it till the belt freed itself.
When changing a generator What else ought to I swap out?
Other improvements are important to make while changing an alternator. Replace the idler roller, tensioner, and serpentine belt when you replace the alternator in your automobile or truck.
Can I change my alternator on my own?
You can replace an alternator on your own in around two hours on average, however this may vary a little depending on your level of auto technician expertise. Timing may vary slightly and you might have to leave the car for the day if you bring your car to a shop to have the alternator replaced.
Is replacing an alternator simple?
Although replacing an alternator is not difficult, you will need certain specialist tools, such as a torque wrench and breaker bar, and a belt tensioner tool may also be needed, depending on how your alternator is mounted.
A multimeter is required for this step in order to diagnose whether the alternator needs to be changed. All of these are useful tools to have if you frequently work on your own car, but buying them simply to change an alternator might be pricey.
By scheduling an appointment online with one of our knowledgeable technicians, you can quickly replace an alternator. The technician will examine your battery and alternator before advising you on the best course of action.
It doesn’t get any simpler than that! We can even come to your home or place of business at a time that works for you, saving you from having to make arrangements to drop off or pick up your car and from having to wait around a shop for the technician to finish.
Why do I need a new alternator, exactly?
As was already noted, if your engine is difficult to start, your alternator may not be charging the battery. As a result, when you turn the key in the ignition, all you’ll hear is a clicking noise rather than your engine’s purring sound.
On the other hand, if your car repeatedly stalls out while you’re driving, it can mean that the alternator isn’t supplying the spark plugs with enough power to keep the engine running.
How can my alternator be tested?
- Purchase a multimeter.
- Select DCV (DC Volts) above 15 on your multimeter.
- Make sure the positive and negative terminals on your alternator are clean.
- Connect the red cable of the multimeter to the positive terminal and the black cable to the negative terminal.
- An optimal alternator reading should be about 12.6.
How long does a replacement alternator take?
It will take a professional roughly two hours to replace an alternator. It could take longer than two hours for a technician to work on your vehicle, so don’t assume that it will just be there for that amount of time. And it will take even longer if the store needs to order parts.
How can you identify if the problem is with your battery or alternator?
In its most basic form, starting and operating an engine is a 3-step procedure. The battery first jolts the starter with power. The alternator is then activated when the engine is started. The alternator then charges the battery to end this cycle.
Bypassing the battery’s function and jump-starting your vehicle, you can use the process of elimination to identify the offender. The alternator is probably not keeping your battery charged if the engine starts but soon shuts off. If your automobile can be started and maintained by a jump start, but it won’t restart on its own power, you most likely have a dead battery.
Can a car with a damaged alternator be driven?
In theory, absolutely. You can still drive a car with a damaged alternator or one that is just starting to malfunction, but it’s better not to. You have a short window of time before your car stalls and won’t start because your battery is dead if your alternator has completely ceased operating.
Does AutoZone install alternators?
To make sure the charging system is operating properly, you can take the car to AutoZone and have the alternator examined there. Depending on the precise year, make, model, and engine of your vehicle, some of these instructions may change somewhat.
Does it make sense to replace the alternator?
If the alternator is broken, it is typically wiser to replace it totally. Even though they can be expensive, new ones are generally preferable than remanufactured or rebuilt alternatives. Since the mechanical components have a lot of miles on them, they most likely won’t last as long as a new one.
Check for a remanufactured or rebuilt alternator at your neighborhood auto parts store if you can’t afford a new one. If a mechanic is handling the installation, be sure they provide you a brand-new alternator rather than trying to save money by using a refurbished or rebuilt one.
A high-output alternator, which is more expensive, may be required for some vehicles with increased electrical needs, such as ambulances or vehicles with sizable, power-hungry sound systems.
Depending on the type of car, the cost of the parts varies widely, but it often falls between $150 and $300. An OEM alternator for a more recent Mercedes or Audi can easily cost close to $1,000 as more costly automobiles would typically demand more expensive parts.
Since certain alternators are simpler to access and require less time to work on, labor expenses also vary, but budget between $200 and $600 for the work.
Expect to shell out anything from $350 to $900 in total for an alternator replacement. In most circumstances, it will be less expensive to have an independent mechanic handle the work than a dealership.
Can a car still run with a damaged alternator?
Can a car still run with a damaged alternator? A damaged alternator can only keep a car running for a short period of time. When the engine is running, the alternator charges the battery, and once the battery is empty, the car will not start.
Should I unplug the battery before changing the alternator?
response given by While the battery must be disconnected from the engine, the battery need not be replaced when the alternator is changed.
Can a defective alternator kill a brand-new battery?
Can a malfunctioning alternator ruin a brand-new automobile battery, is the question. The short answer is no, especially if the battery is brand-new, a defective alternator does not usually harm the automobile battery. However, there is a danger that your new battery could be killed by the malfunctioning alternator.
What occurs if an alternator fails while you’re driving?
An alternator that is malfunctioning will make a grinding or whining noise. Your alternator may be failing if you hear even a slight rattling sound coming from the engine. The majority of alternator noises are brought on by loose bearings.
Yes. However, a damaged alternator can only keep a car running for a brief time. Once the battery is discharged, the vehicle won’t start because the alternator is in charge of charging the battery when the engine is running.
Start the car’s engine by opening the hood. While the engine is running, disconnect the negative connection from the battery. The alternator likely has to be repaired or replaced if the car dies or stalls.
A failing alternator first results in a number of electrical problems before the car completely malfunctions. Nevertheless, an alternator can stop functioning gradually over time or suddenly. Usually, people can hear the whining sound that an alternator makes and get it fixed before it entirely fails.
If the alternator fails while the automobile is being driven, power usually gradually drains from the vehicle. Just before the automobile loses power and stops, you’ll notice the headlights begin to decrease.
How frequently do alternators fail?
It is crucial to go over the fundamentals of an alternator operation first. The alternator, which is attached to the engine, is responsible for giving the battery power. It maintains the car’s electrical and electronic systems operational and charges the battery continuously.
The alternator exerts the most effort of any component in your car, therefore ultimately it will burn out. An alternator lasts seven years or roughly 150,000 miles on average. The quality of the component, the state of the car as a whole, and the number of electronics in operation are some of the variables that might affect the alternator’s lifespan.