Kia Sedona Forum : “how do you replace the alternator”
I read that to change the serpentine belt that drives the alternator, you have ot remove the right front wheel and the inner fender (plastic) at which point the tensioner is exposed to allow removal of the belt. Perhaps you can gain access there?
Simplier method less costly method:
1. Disconnect the battery.
2. Do not mess with the A/C connections this method has enough flexibility to manuver the alternator without distubing the connections too much.
3. Remove all support piece above radiator, and remove hood latch support in front of radiator.
4. remove only the upper coolant hose and bracket to the engine.
5. No need to disconnect the the A/C coolant lines. Just remove the brackets that mount them to the car body opposite the alternator. This will give you flexibility to move the radiator and mounting bolts.
6. Remove each of the fan housings. This should give you sufficient space to work on the alternator itself and remove it.
7. loosen the tension pulley, the one toward the firewall, no need to remove it but no big deal. Then loosen the bolt below it to help put the belt back on later.
8. Remove the alternator, disconnect the electrical and remove the mounting bracket that mounts to the engine. The long bolt on the bottom does not come all the way out but you can still remove the alternator with it wedged in the hole. Remember to put this one in first when you reinstall the new on;
9. Work the altermator carefully around the front of the engine and remove from the right side.
10. Installation is the reverse of these instructions.
11. Replace the lost coolant about a liter.
Should take about 3-4 hours depending on how difficult it is to remove the fans.
Great answer, thank you very much. I just finished removing the alternator in my 2002 Sedona. I was at the point of removing the bottom bolt and the step about remvoing the cooling line brackets and wedging the bolt in the hole was the last tip I needed to get it out.
Now to see if the alternator is really bad or not. I have seen several posts about people replacing the alternator and battery. When mine first seemed to go out the problem was acutally the positive wire connected to the alternator was 90 percent broken through. The result was that a testor placed on the batter indicated that both the battery and the alternator were bad. About 20 bucks later for some wire and connectors and the problem was fixed. The only problem I had was that I did not route the wires correctly and they melted on the exhaust manifold. So I'm going to get the alternator and battery tested and replace the wires being careful to keep them away from heat sources.