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Question

I have a 2003 Dodge Stratus SXT, 4cyl 2.4 SOHC. My car started with some trouble this morning and seems to have less power each time I start it. I just tried starting it and it obviously does not have enough power to turnover more than once or twice. 1 month ago I replaced the battery, connectors, and starter. How hard would it be to replace the alternator on my own? I can see it at the top left corner under the hood. Will I need anything more than a standard socket set?

Submitted: 677 days and 8 hours ago.
Category: Car
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Optional Information:
2003 Dodge Stratus 2.4 - 4cyl

Already Tried:
Already listed in post.

Accepted Answer

Hello and thank you for choosing Just Answer.

2.4L Engines

  1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
  2. Disconnect battery negative cable from remote negative terminal on shock tower and properly isolate to prevent accidental reconnection.
  3. Remove or disconnect the following:
    • Field circuit from alternator.
    • B+ terminal cover by spreading the cover with a small flat blade tool.
    • B+ terminal nut and wire
  4. Loosen adjusting T-bolt, but do not remove
  5. Loosen pivot bolt, but do not remove.
  6. Loosen adjusting bolt to allow removal of the alternator drive belt.
  7. Continue by removing:
    • Adjusting T-bolt.
    • Pivot bolt.
    • ABS braking unit by removing the two lower plate mounting bolts.
    • Coolant overflow reservoir.
  8. Remove alternator by sliding it under the air conditioning lines towards passenger side of vehicle.
    Click
    View Full Image
    Exploded view of the alternator and related components-2.4L engine

To install:

  1. Install or connect the following:
    • Alternator
    • Alternator bolt and nut and torque to 26-40 ft. lbs. (34-54 Nm).
    • Alternator brace
    • Alternator connector
    • Water pump pulley
    • Alternator drive belt
    • Power steering and A/C drive belt
    • Oil return tube clamp bolt
    • Oil pressure hose and tube clamp bolts
    • Engine mount bracket
  2. Adjust the belt tension.
    • Negative battery cable
    • Under cover
  1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
  2. Remove or disconnect the following:
    • Negative battery cable from the shock tower
    • Accessory belt cover
    • Alternator electrical connectors
    • Accessory belt splash shield
    • Accessory belt
    • Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor from the intake manifold
    • Alternator

To install:

Click
View Full Image
Exploded view of the alternator and related components-2.4L engine

 

  1. Install or connect the following:
    • Alternator and torque the bolts to 33 ft. lbs. (44 Nm)
    • MAP sensor
    • Drive belt and splash shield
    • Alternator electrical connectors
    • Accessory belt cover
    • Negative battery cable

Picture
Expert: OnlineHelp
Pos. Feedback: 99.1 %
Accepts: 2827
Answered: 5/13/2008

Mechanic

Mechanic

Posted by OnlineHelp 677 days and 8 hours ago.

Answer

Here are the steps to remove the belts.

Alternator Drive Belt
  1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.

  2. Loosen the nut of the alternator pivot bolt.

  3. Loosen the lock bolt.

  4. Loosen the adjusting bolt so that there is enough slack in the belt to remove it.

To install:

  1. Install the new belt around the crankshaft, alternator and water pump pulleys.

  2. If using a new belt, tighten the adjusting bolt to set the belt tension to 176-221 lbs. (785-981 N), or to 0.17-0.21 inches (4.4-5.4mm) of deflection using the tension inspection techniques above.

    NOTE

    This is a higher tension than when inspecting a used belt. The new belt will stretch and relax to the inspection figures within a few hundred miles.

  3. Tighten the lock bolt to 16 ft. lbs. (23 Nm)

  4. Tighten the nut of the alternator pivot bolt to 33 ft. lb. (44 Nm).

  5. Tighten the adjusting bolt to 44 inch lb. (4.9 Nm).

    Accessory
    View Full Image

    Accessory drive belt routing-2.4L engine

Power Steering Pump And A/C Compressor Belt
  1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.

  2. Loosen the tension pulley fixing nut "A" behind the tension pulley.

  3. Loosen adjusting bolt B until there is enough slack in the belt to remove it.

To install:

  1. Install the new belt around the crankshaft, A/C compressor (if so equipped) and power steering pump pulleys.

  2. Tighten adjusting bolt B until the belt has reached 137-181 lbs. (608-804 N) of tension or 0.33-0.41 inches (8.4-10.4mm) of deflection using inspection methods above.

    NOTE

    This is a higher tension than when inspecting a used belt. The new belt will stretch and relax to the inspection figures within a few hundred miles.

  3. Tighten the fixing nut A to 33 ft. lbs. (44 Nm).

    Accessory
    View Full Image

    Accessory drive belt routing-2.4L engine

677 days and 8 hours ago.

Reply

I should be able to do this with a standard socket set and a couple of screw drivers, right?

Posted by OnlineHelp 677 days and 8 hours ago.

Answer

Absolutly. No special tools needed.

676 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

I am still working on this project. I loosened the long bolt that connects the alternator, but when I pull it out, it hits against the engine wall (side). There is not enough room to pull the bolt out enough to free the alternator. I have tried pulling the alternator up and into different positions, but it will not free. Any ideas how to get this bolt out?

Thanks!

Posted by OnlineHelp 676 days and 21 hours ago.

Answer

Take the belt off and loosen the remining bolts. The alternaotr at that point should slide back and forth front to back. At that point you should be able to remove the bolt.

676 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

I removed the belt as one of the first steps. The alternator can move back and forth right now. I moved it all the way back to loosen the bolt holding the alternator on. When I try to slide that long bolt off, it hits against the wall and will not come out any farther. The alternator is almost free, except for the very edge of the long bolt that will not come out. Other than moving the alternator around, is there any other way to free that bolt?

Accepted Answer

That is the way I have removed that bolt. I do not believe that there is a different way or trick to it.

Picture
Expert: OnlineHelp
Pos. Feedback: 99.1 %
Accepts: 2827
Answered: 5/14/2008

Mechanic

Mechanic

676 days and 21 hours ago.

Reply

Hum...not fun. I guess I will continue to try to move the alternator around to see if it comes free.

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