I am thinking about replacing the alternator on my 01 Millenia S. Has anyone done this before? How difficult is it?

 

why do you need to replace it, is it not functioning properly or something?
I am unaware of the engine bay of that particular model but a alternator is pretty simple to replace. There are 2 bolts one on a slide and the other on a pivot. remove the slide bolt and place the belt out of the way, remove the other bolt, swap the wires and place the new alternator on the pivot. Replace the belt on the new alternator, to tension the belt slide a screw driver between the alternator and a solid place on the motor and pull, holding the tension install the slide bolt.

 

well that's funny...... everyone I know from another forum made it sound so difficult

 

Actually it's not so easy. Although the alternator is located near the front of the engine bay, it's tucked neatly underneath the front intercooler and above the A/C compressor making access very difficult. Also, it's driven by one of the serpentine belts so you can't tension the belt by pivoting the alternator. You will need to release the belt tensioner (also difficult to access). You will likely have to remove the front intercooler and drop the plastic right side engine bay pan to get at it. If you don't have a lift you'll be working on your back.

 

Very difficult - have been at it for 2 hours trying to remove the rear bolt. Obviously the engineers gave little to no thought as to how a tech would replace the alternator with the engine in place.

 

Got the alternator off, finally. As it turns out, the long bolt on the back does NOT need to be removed. The trick is to just loosen the bolt and then SLIDE the alternator to the front (toward the radiator). The alternator absolutely cannot be lifted up as I expected. Once the alternator is removed, you will see why. Tricky.