Alternator Replacement On 2003 Kia Sedona

[rhard44]

I need to know how to replace the alternator on my 2003 Sedona?

[skidoofast]

how many miles on the van? how mechanical are you, this is not an easy job!

[rhard44]

It has 53k miles and I am good with tools. I have already begun to take it off, but I am stuck at getting one of the bolts out. Then how does it come out? Do you have to remove the ac compressor?

[knightyuae]

http://msw.kiausa.com/viewer/default.asp?group=shop

Go to the above link under "charging system" and the alternator appears to have only two mounting bolts, top one is adjustable and should allow you to remove the belt, then both bolts to remove alternator without removing any A/C components.

At least it looks that way...

Dave.

[rhard44]

I have already looked at that site. It does not show the correct model, mine does not adjust, it has a serpentine belt.

[skidoofast]

53k that should be under warrenty? that one bottom bolt is a paine, the easiest way to get it out is to get an exaust manifold spreader and use it between the frame and the motor mount bolt and push the engine over enouph to pull the bolt out far enouph to clear the bracket (clear the bracket not all the way out), you can also use a big prybar like it shows in the pictures below, believe it or not but it does come out the top of the engine, here are some pictures from the service manual

[rhard44]

Thanks for the info.

[Infidel]

Hello all. My 2002 Sedona is currently sitting in my driveway with my alternator about 75% out. This seems like a good place to post up some info since you're info has been kind enough to get me to this point.

Car electronics went nuts last night, then died. Had it towed to dealer, researched and found the alternator info on the web. Classic symptoms. Car has 61500 miles on it, I called Kia and the dealership called Kia, the local rep would not budge on the 60K warranty, it would not be covered at all. Dealer quoted $800 to replace it.

I'm pretty handy with a wrench, and from this thread it didn't look too bad. So, I had the dealer replace the battery and teh positive terminal which was crap. Ordered an alternator online, overnight delivery, hopefully tomorrow it'll be in and I'll be done.

Dealer Costs:
Battery $100
Alternator $250
Labor $450

Online cost
Alternator $140
Overnight $30

(in US $)

I could have done the battery myself but figured the markup at the dealer wouldn't be that bad, and the car would be ready for me to bring home tonight after work. So, I've gotten started, left out a few steps, should have checked the thread again before starting. Anyways, if anyone wants I'll take some pictures of the process so you know what you're in for.

And yes, the lower mounting bolt is a ****.

Some more thoughts. I have no idea how to release tension on the belt, which is what was causing me much grief, so I slipped it off of the smootrh pulley that is easy to get to. Hopefully I'll find the trick to the tensioner pulley when the alternator is out.

Secondly, the photo set above leaves out the critical step of removing the rad fan to make enough clearance to lift the alternator out. Still working on that one, but it's a pain. Fortunately the alternator is completely out, just sitting down in the engine waiting for me to make room for it to come out.

[cpapashley]

hmmm...

This is a very familiar problem. Ours needed replacing around the 60k (thats kilometers). A friend remarked that most should last for a lot longer than this.

What is your experience...techs out there??

[skidoofast]

there have been a few that i have replaced, there is also a tsb for reflashing the computer for a battery drain, they have also revised the altinator to give it a smaller pully so it turns more rpm, this helps the charging at idle, if the new altinator has a smaller pulley it will also need the revised shorter belt

the belt is loosened from the bottom side of the car, the andjusting bolt is right next to the oil filter, first you have to loosen the pulley bolt then loosen the adjusting bolt