Following alternator bearing failure on my car at the end of last year, I had to do this job over the Christmas period so I thought I would put up a guide to help others who may also need to replace their alternator but are not sure how to approach the daunting task of actually doing the job.
After reading many horror stories from people who changed their alternator and did it from the bottom as described in the workshop manuals with some people reporting to have taken more than 10 hours just to get the old alternator out (see
this post), I decided to take a different approach and do it from the top. While removal (and reassembly afterwards) of all the necessary parts needed to actually get to the alternator takes some time, it makes the actual job of removing the old alternator and refitting a new one very easy indeed. Therefore, my advice to anyone who needs to replace the alternator is
DO NOT even bother attempting it from below unless you want to end up in a world of pain. Instead, follow my guide below and do it from above as you will find it much easier

This was the first time I'd attempted the job on one of these cars and start to finish with breaks and taking photos for this guide it took me 5.5 hours (in the freezing cold) so not actually too bad considering the nightmare location that the alternator is placed in on these engines.
Tools Required- Wheel Nut Brace
- Trolley Jack
- Axle Stand
- Miniature Flat-Bladed Screwdriver
- 5mm Allen Key
- T30 Torx Bit
- M7 Ribe Bit
- 8mm Ring / Open-Ended Spanner
- 8mm Socket
- 10mm Ring / Open-Ended Spanner
- 10mm Socket
- 12mm Ring / Open-Ended Spanner
- 12mm Socket
- 13mm Ring / Open-Ended Spanner
- 13mm Socket
- 15mm Ring / Open-Ended Spanner
- 15mm Socket
- Socket Ratchet Handle
- 18" of Socket Extensions
- Penetrating Oil
- Grease
- Vaseline
- Small Torch
Parts RequiredStep-by-Step Guide (click individual pictures for a full size view)- Locate the alternator which is right at the bottom of the engine at the back underneath the power steering fluid reservoir and the inlet manifold on the back left-hand side of the engine bay when looking in from the front of the car...
AlternatorReplacement01.jpg ( 177.58k )
Number of downloads: 2013
AlternatorReplacement02.jpg ( 178.76k )
Number of downloads: 698
- Jack up the front right-hand side of the car, remove the wheel and place an axle stand under the front wishbone mounting point.
AlternatorReplacement03.jpg ( 176.38k )
Number of downloads: 624
AlternatorReplacement04.jpg ( 166.52k )
Number of downloads: 467
AlternatorReplacement05.jpg ( 150.59k )
Number of downloads: 442
- Get inside the wheel arch and use an 8mm socket or spanner to remove the 2 screws holding the top of the access panel to the wheel liner and pull out the plastic clip holding the bottom right of the wheel liner. Then remove the access panel.
AlternatorReplacement06.jpg ( 137.46k )
Number of downloads: 565
AlternatorReplacement07.jpg ( 162.17k )
Number of downloads: 431
AlternatorReplacement08.jpg ( 155.14k )
Number of downloads: 447
- The alternator can then be seen directly above the driveshaft and to the left of the automatic auxiliary belt tensioner.
AlternatorReplacement09.jpg ( 216.69k )
Number of downloads: 607
- Go into the engine bay and locate the auxiliary belt guard which is on the left-hand side in the gap between the inner wing and the cam belt cover. Use a 5mm Allen Key to remove the 2 bolts (circled in green) and an 8mm spanner to remove the nut holding the front of the guard to the air conditioning compressor. Then lift the guard out.
AlternatorReplacement10.jpg ( 134.7k )
Number of downloads: 591
- The auxiliary belt pulley for the alternator can now be seen in the gap at the back of the engine.
AlternatorReplacement11.jpg ( 135.86k )
Number of downloads: 471
- Use an M7 Ribe Bit to undo the 4 bolts holding the engine cover on and also remove the oil filler cap. Remove the engine cover and then replace the oil filler cap.
AlternatorReplacement12.jpg ( 151.81k )
Number of downloads: 447
AlternatorReplacement13.jpg ( 189.84k )
Number of downloads: 414
- Unclip and remove the fuel injector and the variator solenoid electrical connectors (circled in green), and also unclip and remove the fuel line from the injector rail and also the blue vapour return pipe (circled in yellow). Use a rag to catch any spilt fuel when removing the fuel line. Push all these connections to the back of the engine bay out of the way.
AlternatorReplacement14.jpg ( 200.49k )
Number of downloads: 694
- Remove the air bleed pipe from the top of the engine coolant expansion tank and then unclip the pipe from the top of the power steering fluid reservoir and also where it runs across the back of the fuel injector rail.
AlternatorReplacement15.jpg ( 181.15k )
Number of downloads: 474
AlternatorReplacement16.jpg ( 194.41k )
Number of downloads: 456
- Undo the 2 clips that connect oil breather pipes to the cam cover and disconnect the pipes.
AlternatorReplacement17.jpg ( 196.59k )
Number of downloads: 511
Locate the air intake pipe on the right-hand side of the engine bay which goes between the Air Filter Box and the Throttle Body. Remove the 2 clips holding the pipe in place (circled in green) and also the electrical connector on top of the MAF (circled in yellow). Then lift the complete air intake pipe out.
AlternatorReplacement18.jpg ( 193.96k )
Number of downloads: 418
AlternatorReplacement19.jpg ( 192.13k )
Number of downloads: 392
- Disconnect the throttle cable from the throttle and remove it from the runner grommet.
AlternatorReplacement20.jpg ( 217.62k )
Number of downloads: 461
- Disconnect the positive and negative battery terminal leads.
AlternatorReplacement21.jpg ( 198.96k )
Number of downloads: 427
- Disconnect the 2 electrical connectors that are underneath the Throttle Body. One is plugged into the bottom of the Idle Stepper Motor on the Throttle Body and the other is plugged into the variable inlet manifold vacuum solenoid on the bottom of the inlet manifold.
AlternatorReplacement22.jpg ( 192.53k )
Number of downloads: 481
- Use a T30 Torx Bit to remove the two screws holding the fuel injector rail to the inlet manifold (green arrows) and then carefully wriggle the injector rail free and remove it complete with attached injectors (they are simply held in tightly by rubber o-rings).
AlternatorReplacement23.jpg ( 211.08k )
Number of downloads: 514
AlternatorReplacement24.jpg ( 180.44k )
Number of downloads: 443
- Remove the 4 electrical connectors (blue, black, white & brown) from their mountings on back of the inlet manifold.
AlternatorReplacement25.jpg ( 173.17k )
Number of downloads: 397
- Disconnect the 4 electrical connectors (blue, black, white & brown), and also the black connector to the variable inlet solenoid on the back left hand side and then pull the whole wiring loom across to the right hand side out of the way.
AlternatorReplacement26.jpg ( 195.11k )
Number of downloads: 349
AlternatorReplacement27.jpg ( 203.37k )
Number of downloads: 432
- Use a 5mm Allen Key to remove the top bolt holding the fluid reservoir to the inlet manifold.
AlternatorReplacement28.jpg ( 196.18k )
Number of downloads: 407
- Push the power steering fluid reservoir as far over to the left as possible to expose an bolt holding the bottom of the reservoir to the inlet manifold. This bolt is very awkward to get to but it can be done with some patience. Use a 5mm Allen Key to undo this bolt.
AlternatorReplacement29.jpg ( 144.97k )
Number of downloads: 432
- Pull the power steering fluid reservoir up and out of the way, then use a 13mm ring spanner to undo the 2 bolts on the underside of the manifold (one each side). The fourth picture shows the bottom of the manifold so you can see exactly what the bolts are that you are trying to get out and where they are located. These are a bit awkward to undo but again with a bit patience and perseverance you will eventually get them out.
AlternatorReplacement30.jpg ( 189.16k )
Number of downloads: 442
AlternatorReplacement31.jpg ( 198.33k )
Number of downloads: 483
AlternatorReplacement32.jpg ( 177.81k )
Number of downloads: 460
AlternatorReplacement33.jpg ( 110.39k )
Number of downloads: 508
- Now get underneath the car and using a small torch to help you see, look up through the gap at the back of the engine and you will see a bracket and 2 bolts connected to the underside of the inlet manifold. Using a number of socket extensions joined together and a 15mm socket on the end, undo and remove these 2 bolts.
AlternatorReplacement34.jpg ( 138.1k )
Number of downloads: 524
- Back up on top of the engine again, remove the 2 screws holding the wiring loom bracket to the back of the inlet manifold on the right hand side.
AlternatorReplacement35.jpg ( 194.68k )
Number of downloads: 534
- Next, remove the 2 plugs from the top of the ECU (which is on top of the Throttle Body housing).
AlternatorReplacement36.jpg ( 181.35k )
Number of downloads: 368
- Now remove the ECU completely and also disconnect the brake servo vacuum pipe from the top of the inlet manifold (circled in yellow).
AlternatorReplacement37.jpg ( 235.83k )
Number of downloads: 433
AlternatorReplacement38.jpg ( 211.45k )
Number of downloads: 326
- Use a miniature flat-bladed screwdriver to prise apart all 4 clips that hold the bottom of the rubber inlet manifold pipes to the inlet tubes and also the oil breather pipe on the right-hand side.
AlternatorReplacement39.jpg ( 175.26k )
Number of downloads: 412
- Put your hand underneath the inlet manifold from the right hand side and feel around for the cable clips on the underside of the manifold. If any of the cables are clipped into those (the ones with the blue, black, white & brown connectors on) then they will need to be unclipped to allow the inlet manifold to be removed without it being "tied" to the wiring. The picture below shows the location of all the cable clips on the underside of the inlet manifold.
AlternatorReplacement40.jpg ( 234.32k )
Number of downloads: 641
- Now that the manifold is free from anything holding it to the engine, slide it to the right as far as it will go. Then ensure that all the pipes mounted on the bulkhead are pushed back as far as possible. It then requires some brute force to pull the back of the inlet manifold up so that the back twists upwards and the manifold pops out. It is a very tight fit and at first it will appear that there isn't enough of a gap to get it out through but with some perseverance it WILL actually squeeze out through that gap if you pull hard enough on the back of the manifold. If you really can't get it out then you will need to remove one of the front engine mounts and drop the front of the engine which will cause it to move forward thus creating a larger gap at the back.
AlternatorReplacement41.jpg ( 186.63k )
Number of downloads: 455
AlternatorReplacement42.jpg ( 230.2k )
Number of downloads: 354
- With the inlet manifold removed, if you now look down the back of the engine towards the bottom left hand side you will see the back of the alternator.
AlternatorReplacement43.jpg ( 211.52k )
Number of downloads: 477
AlternatorReplacement44.jpg ( 189.13k )
Number of downloads: 445
- The next thing to do is to remove the manifold support bracket because with it still in place it will prevent you getting the alternator out. There are two 15mm bolts on back of the bracket which simply need to be removed and the bracket can be taken out.
AlternatorReplacement45.jpg ( 192.83k )
Number of downloads: 407
AlternatorReplacement46.jpg ( 228.54k )
Number of downloads: 384
AlternatorReplacement47.jpg ( 285.63k )
Number of downloads: 343
- You can now see that there is plenty of room to extract the alternator up and out through the back of the engine.
AlternatorReplacement48.jpg ( 198.62k )
Number of downloads: 455
AlternatorReplacement49.jpg ( 169.34k )
Number of downloads: 407
- Next you need to remove the auxiliary belt. Get back inside the wheel arch and use a 15mm ring spanner to release the automatic tensioner by locating it onto the tensioner pulley bolt and then pulling very hard in an anti-clockwise direction. Once the tension on the belt is released, slip the belt off the fixed tensioner wheel and it can then be taken off the car.
AlternatorReplacement50.jpg ( 170.66k )
Number of downloads: 403
AlternatorReplacement51.jpg ( 146.78k )
Number of downloads: 334
AlternatorReplacement52.jpg ( 144.61k )
Number of downloads: 322
AlternatorReplacement53.jpg ( 169.57k )
Number of downloads: 318
AlternatorReplacement54.jpg ( 166.93k )
Number of downloads: 312
AlternatorReplacement55.jpg ( 155.24k )
Number of downloads: 307
- Back inside the engine bay, reach down the back of the engine then unclip and open the "door" that covers the electrical connections on the back of the alternator.
AlternatorReplacement56.jpg ( 178.43k )
Number of downloads: 445
- Remove the 2 electrical connections on the back of the alternator (circled in yellow) and the using a combination of spanners and/or sockets on the back and front of the alternator, undo and remove the 2 large bolts holding the alternator in place (circled in green).
AlternatorReplacement57.jpg ( 212.12k )
Number of downloads: 472
AlternatorReplacement58.jpg ( 163.57k )
Number of downloads: 369
- With all bolts and connections removed from the alternator, simply wriggle it free from the mountings and then pull it backwards and up out through the gap in the back of the engine. Be careful as it's a pretty heavy item.
AlternatorReplacement59.jpg ( 174.31k )
Number of downloads: 430
AlternatorReplacement60.jpg ( 180.27k )
Number of downloads: 426
AlternatorReplacement61.jpg ( 150.61k )
Number of downloads: 365
AlternatorReplacement62.jpg ( 173.5k )
Number of downloads: 370
AlternatorReplacement63.jpg ( 183.75k )
Number of downloads: 342
Fitting the new alternator is the exact reverse of removing the old one. Be sure to use plenty of grease on bolts and nuts when reassembling everything and use a smear of Vaseline on the alternator electrical connections. Getting the new alternator back into its mounting position so the bolt holes line can be a little tricky partly due to having to manoeuvre something around which is so heavy but keep at it and you will eventually do it. It took me about 20 minutes of fiddling to eventually get it into place and the bolts back through the holes.
This is the old and new alternators side-by-side and the new one fitted...
AlternatorReplacement64.jpg ( 300.58k )
Number of downloads: 468
AlternatorReplacement65.jpg ( 162.44k )
Number of downloads: 392