How to Remove an Alternator From a Kia

by Carl Pruit

The alternator of your Kia is designed to produce electricity as the engine runs and distribute that electricity to the battery to supply the electrical systems of the car. Some Kias have developed problems with the alternator parts wearing out quickly, requiring them to be replaced. If that happens on your vehicle, you can remove the existing alternator yourself in about an hour and save the expense of having someone else do it for you.

Step 1

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery of your Kia with an open end wrench before attempting to remove the alternator. Move the cable out of the way and secure it with string or tape so that it does not fall back into contact with the battery.

Step 2

Remove the metal brackets that are running from the top of the radiator to the engine block with a socket wrench to allow room to remove the alternator.

Step 3

Follow the serpentine drive belt that winds around the pulleys and locate the tensioner pulley in the front center of the engine.

Step 4

Loosen the serpentine drive belt by turning the tensioner bolt on the front of the pulley with a socket wrench until the belt is loose enough to be able to clear the alternator pulley.

Step 5

Unfasten the top mounting bolt of the alternator with a socket wrench until the bolt is completely removed.

Step 6

Remove the lower mounting bolt at the bottom of the alternator with a socket wrench and pull it all the way out of the sleeve until the alterntor is free of the brackets.

Step 7

Unplug the electrical wire connections to the alternator by pulling the wire harness plug out of the alternator and then removing the alternator from the Kia engine.

Installing a new or rebuilt alternator requires following these steps in reverse.

References

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