How to Replace the Alternator on a 2000 Chrysler LHS
by Dan Ferrell
The alternator recharges the battery and supplies electrical current to all electrical systems in your 2000 Chrysler LHS. But problems with the alternator may cause it to produce abnormal noises, due to worn-out parts, or provide insufficient or excessive voltage, which may damage the battery and other important components. Fortunately, replacing a bad alternator on your LHS is a task you can perform at home with the use of a few simple tools you might already have in your toolbox.
Removing the Alternator
Step 1
Open the hood and detach the negative (black) battery cable using a wrench.
Step 2
Loosen the alternator lower mounting bolt using a ratchet and socket.
Step 3
Remove the upper radiator support using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Step 4
Loosen the alternator pivot bolt using the ratchet and socket.
Step 5
Loosen the alternator-belt adjustment bolt using the ratchet and socket and slip the belt off the alternator’s pulley.
Step 6
Remove the alternator lower mounting bolt.
Step 7
Unplug the electrical wire from the back side of the alternator.
Step 8
Unfasten the battery-cable retaining nut from the back side of the alternator using a wrench and remove the cable.
Step 9
Remove the alternator pivot bolt.
Step 10
Remove the alternator from the vehicle.
Installing the New Alternator
Step 1
Place the new alternator in its mounting position.
Step 2
Install the lower and pivot mounting bolts hand-tight.
Step 3
Tighten the alternator lower mounting bolt to 30-ft-lbs. (41 Nm) using a torque wrench.
Step 4
Tighten the alternator pivot bolt to 40-ft-lbs. (54 Nm) using a torque wrench.
Step 5
Attach the battery cable to the back side of the alternator using the wrench.
Step 6
Plug the electrical wire to the back side of the alternator.
Step 7
Slip the belt over the alternator’s pulley and tighten the belt-adjusting bolt to adjust the belt.
Step 8
Replace the upper radiator support using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Step 9
Install the negative (black) battery cable using the wrench.
References
- "Chrysler LH-series Automotive Repair Manual"; Eric Godfrey; 2008
Things You'll Need
- Wrench
- Ratchet
- Socket set
- Ratchet extension
- Torque wrench
Writer Bio
Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.
