How to Remove an Alternator from a Volkswagen

Applies to: VW JETTA (1999-2005) GOLF (1999-2006) NEW BEETLE (1999-2005) GTI (1999-2005) GOLF GTI (1999-2005)

 

VW Jetta (1999-2005); VW New Beetle (1999-2005); New Beetle Convertible (2003-2005); VW Golf (1999-2006); VW GTI (1999-2005); VW Golf GTI (1999-2005)

Pull Tip: Vehicle battery should be disconnected before work is started. Before removing the alternator, you need to remove the serpentine belt tensioner and belt. Refer to the Serpentine Belt Tensioner removal video.

Estimated Pull Time: 15 minutes

Recommended Tools

  • image of needed socket pull tool at Pull-A-Part 13mm Socket
  • Use a ratchet to make your repair with help from Pull-A-Part. Ratchet
  • image of needed socket pull tool at Pull-A-Part 8mm Socket

Instructions

  • 1

    Before removing the alternator, you need to remove the serpentine belt tensioner and belt. Refer to the Serpentine Belt Tensioner removal video.

  • 2

    Remove the two bolts from the alternator.

  • 3

    Now that the bolts are out, pull the alternator off the bracket. Walking it back and forth to aid in removal.

  • 4

    Next disconnect the wire connectors. Take the main battery cable off and the connector. Remove the cover on the battery connector and then unscrew it (don't lose the cover, it needs to go back on when you are done).

  • 5

    Remove the cable off and then lift the alternator out.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Hey, everybody. Charles from HumbleMechanic.com back with another DIY and Drive tutorial with Pull-A-Part Used Auto Parts. Today, we're going to be removing the alternator on a Volkswagen. The tools we're going to need for this job is going to be a 13 millimeter socket with a ratchet and an eight millimeter wrench or socket. B

efore removing the alternator, you're going to need to remove the serpentine belt tensioner and belt. Check out the other video I did showing exactly how to do that. Now that we have the belt and tensioner out of the way, we're going to go ahead and remove these two bolts. Now that the bolts are out, we're going to actually pull the alternator off the bracket. Sometimes, walking it back and forth is enough. And now we have to take our wire connectors off. This one's been replaced before, so it's actually missing an eight millimeter nut that holds this wire loom bracket. So we're not going to worry about that. We're going to take the main battery cable off and the connector. Remove the cover here. Make sure you don't lose that. That needs to go back on when you're done. This is another part that likes to jump down in the engine compartment. So make sure you hang on to it when it's at the end of the thread. Go ahead and pull your cable off. And lift her on out.

All right, guys. This is Charles from HumbleMechanic.com. Thanks for watching, and I will see you next time.

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