How to Install an Alternator on a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
by John Rose
The alternator in the Mitsubishi Galant generates and distributes electricity to the parts of your automobile that need it. Like most other parts on the Galant, there will come a time when you will need to replace the alternator. The process is not difficult, but you do have to crawl under the car to remove the old alternator. Even if you have no experience working on cars, you should be able to remove and install the alternator in less than two hours.
Step 1
Lift the hood of the car and prop it open. Disconnect the negative battery cable using a wrench to loosen the nut on the terminal. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels for additional safety. Raise the Galant on the driver's side using the automobile jack.
Step 2
Place a jack stand under the car and raise it up to the frame of the Galant. Remove the splash guard (if so equipped) from under the car, using a wrench to remove the bolts. Turn the adjusting bolt counterclockwise using a ratchet and socket. Slip the alternator belt off the alternator pulley.
Step 3
Remove the bolts from the water pump pulley using a socket and ratchet. Pull the pulley off the water pump with your hand. Unplug the alternator wiring harness. Disconnect the wires from the alternator using a wrench to remove the nuts. Loosen the mounting bolts on the alternator and remove the alternator from the bracket.
Step 4
Put the new alternator into the alternator bracket. Tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet. Plug the wiring harness into the alternator and reconnect the electrical wires. Tighten the nuts with a wrench.
Step 5
Replace the water pump pulley and tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet. Slip the belt into place over the water pump and alternator pulleys. Adjust the belt tension with the alternator adjusting bolt, turning it clockwise with a socket and ratchet until you reach the proper tension. The belt is at the proper tension when you are able to depress it no more than 1/4 to 1/2 an inch with your finger on the longest span between pulleys.
Step 6
Replace the splash guard under the car if you removed one and tighten the retaining bolts with a wrench. Raise the Galant above the jack stand. Remove the stand from under the car and lower the vehicle to the ground. Reconnect the battery cable and tighten the terminal nut with a wrench. Close the hood.
Things You'll Need
- Automobile jack
- Wheel chocks
- Jack stand
- Metric socket set
- Metric wrench set
Warnings
- Failure to disconnect the battery as instructed in step one could result in injury from electric shock.
Writer Bio
John Rose has been writing professionally since 1981. Now contributing to various online publications, he specializes in auto repair, home maintenance and similar topics. Rose studied English at Frostburg State University.
