How to Replace Alternator 1996-99 Buick LeSabre
Created on: 2013-06-25
Check out this helpful video from 1A Auto on how to replace the alternator on your 96-99 Buick LeSabre.
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step 1 :Disconnecting the Battery
- Disconnect the battery with an 8mm wrench
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step 2 :Removing an Alternator
- Insert a 15mm socket and wrench into the tensioner to loosen the belt
- Remove the 13mm bolts from the front of the alternator
- Remove the 10mm bolt from the back of the alternator
- Disconnect the alternator wiring harness
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step 3 :Reinstalling the Alternator
- Insert the alternator in place
- Insert and tighten the two 13mm bolts
- Insert the 10mm bolt to the back of the alternator
- Connect the alternator wiring harness
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step 4 :Removing the Serpentine Belt
- Loop the belt around the crank pulley
- Pull the tensioner clockwise with the 15mm socket and ratchet
- Pull the belt over the alternator
- Release the tensioner
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step 5 :Connecting the Battery
- Connect the battery with an 8mm wrench
Tools needed
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13mm Socket
15mm Socket
8mm Wrench
10mm Socket
Ratchet
Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet.
Hi, I'm Don from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and the next time you need a part for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.
In this video, we're going to show you how to replace the alternator on this '97 Buick LeSabre. It's going to be the same procedure for a '97 through '99 with a 3.8-liter engine. The items you're going to need are: a new alternator from 1A Auto, a 10mm, 13mm, and 15mm socket and socket wrench, and an 8mm wrench.
I'm using an 8mm wrench to remove the negative terminal on the battery. Pushing it off to the side.
The belt tensioner pulley is right below the alternator. The alternator being here, and here being the belt tensioner. I'm going to use a 15mm socket and socket wrench to loosen up the tension on the belt. Once I've got that, slide it off the alternator pulley. Here, I'm pointing out the nuts and bolts that hold in the alternator that we're going to remove. Those are 13mms. There's three of them. Then, on the back side of the alternator, there's a 10mm bolt that holds there the bracket to the alternator. I'm removing the 13mm nuts that hold the alternator to the engine. I'm going to fast-forward the video while I remove those three nuts and bolts that hold the alternator in.
Underneath the coils is another nut that holds this bracket into place. We need to remove that nut so that we can access the nut and stud right here. Once you get that nut loose, you can either let the bar hang, kind of keep it out of your way, or you can completely remove it. On the backside of the alternator, I'm going to remove this 13mm nut. The harness that goes to it, I'm just going to rest out of the way. Remove the 13 mm here. Now, we're going to remove the 10mm on the back side. You can go ahead and lift out your alternator, and on the backside, you'll see a clip with the wiring harness, disconnect that. Pull your alternator out.
Reinstalling the alternator, go ahead and start your bolts. I'm going to put the cable on the back. Secure that. Reinstall the 10mm on the back side of the alternator. Reinstall your bracket, if you took it off. Resecure it, if you let it hang. Then, plug your harness back in, back on the back side of the alternator. Line your belt back up on the pullies, put it over the alternator. Leave it off of the idler pulley, and then proceed to pull up and snake the belt back onto the idler pulley. Here you see the belt up over the alternator, tensioner pulley, water pump, crank, AC compressor, and power steering pump. Reconnect the battery.
We hope this video helps you out. Brought to you by www.1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll-free, 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.
How to Replace Alternator 1994-2005 Ford Explorer 4-0L
Battery ran down? You might need a new alternator! Check out this video to learn how to replace it in your 94-05 Ford Explorer
