What do I need to do to change my alternator on my 97 GMC Sonoma. I know it's pretty easy, but does anybody got any step by step advice. And also anyone got a ballpark figure of how much a new ones going to cost me?

 

The best thing to do is buy a chilton manual which you could get at auto zone or any other car part store. This will give you the step by step to take it apart, then put it back together. For the part at auto zone my guess is low end 150, and shouldnot be much more then 250.With or with out the manual, the first thing you need to do is look at alternator. Study it along with the other parts around it. Look for the bolts, Im guessing just two or three. Thats should be the only thing holdingiton. From there like you said its easy take the bolts off, take the old alternator off, put new one on, but bolts back in. That should be all you have to do, but if im wrong by studying the alternatoryou should be able to figure out anything else im missing, If not fall back on the manual, like i said its step by step.

 

You might want to take the old alternator off before you go by the new one, that way you can make sure they give you the right one. Do not rely on part store workers to be correct. I used to work at an Auto Zone and they will higher anyone regardless of their knowledge.

Make sure your terminals on the new alt are close to the same location as the old alt otherwise your wires wont reach; also make sure the pulley is the same and that the new one actually has a pulley (They will forget to tell you that sometimes), you may need to take the old pulley off and put it on the new one.

Also make sure your belt tension is set right after you install the new one.

 

if you take your alternator off you can take it with you and get it tested, (most places do it for free) I see alot of people buying batteries when they need an alternator and alternators when they need batteries. if you dont need yoru truck right away, find an auto electric place and take it there, they will test it and can usually rebuild it cheaper then you can buy a rebuilt one from a store.

 

thank you guys for all the advice. Unfortunately I think I might have another problem, I'm posting it in a new thread.