F150 Alternator Removal

The alternator on Ford F-150 trucks is the main component in the charging system. The alternator keeps the battery charged and the system's voltage regulated. The alternator makes it possible for the truck to crank, the lights to work and the electrical system to function.

Instructions

Open the hood on the Ford F-150 and and lock it in place.

Unhook the negative battery cable from the negative battery post on the battery with a 3/8 inch drive ratchet and a 3/8 socket. The negative battery cable will have a (-) sign near the battery post.

Remove the serpentine belt from the alternator pulley. Put the 1/2 inch socket onto the 1/2 inch drive pull bar. Put the 1/2 inch socket onto the bolt head in the center of the belt tensioner. Turn the tensioner counter-clockwise to relieve the tension off the serpentine belt. Slide the serpentine belt off of the alternator pulley with your other hand. Release the tensioner.

Remove the two wire harness connectors on the back of the alternator. Squeeze the locking tabs on the connectors and pull the connector straight off. Do this to both wire connectors.

Remove the positive battery cable connector on the back of the alternator. Turn the nut counter-clockwise with a 7/16 socket and a 3/8 inch drive ratchet. Remove the nut and then remove the positive battery cable from the rear of the alternator.

Remove the upper alternator mounting bolt from the top of the alternator with a 1/2 inch drive ratchet and a 9/16 socket. Turn the bolt counter clockwise to loosen and remove the bolt from the alternator bracket.

Remove the two lower alternator mounting bolts from the bottom of the alternator with the 1/2 inch drive pull bar and the 9/16 socket. Turn the bolts counter-clockwise to loosen and remove the bolts from the alternator bracket.

Slide the pry bar between the alternator and the alternator bracket. Pry upward until the alternator comes out of the bracket. Remove the alternator from the bracket and the engine compartment.

Slide the new alternator into the alternator bracket. Screw the upper bolt into the alternator and the alternator bracket. Screw the bottom two bolts into the alternator and the alternator bracket. Tighten all three bolts down with the 1/2 inch drive ratchet and 9/16 socket.

Plug the two wire connectors back into the rear of the alternator. Push the connectors straight in until you feel them lock in place. Put the positive battery cable connector back on the rear of the alternator and screw the nut over the connector. Tighten the nut with the 3/8 inch drive ratchet and the 7/16 socket.

Put the serpentine belt back onto the alternator pulley. Turn the serpentine belt tensioner counter-clockwise. Slide the serpentine belt over the top of the alternator pulley. Release the tensioner and it will pull the slack out of the belt.

Screw the negative battery cable back onto the battery. Tighten the battery cable back down tight with the 3/8 inch drive ratchet and 3/8 socket. Inspect to make sure that the serpentine belt is securely inside all of the pulleys and that the alternator bolts are tight.