How to Change the Alternator on a 2000 Mazda Truck
The alternator on any vehicle is what provides the electrical power for everything and recharges the battery as the vehicle is being driven. If it fails, the vehicle will eventually lose all its power and will not be able to run or start. It can be replaced and you do not need a mechanic to do it.
Items Needed:
- Safety glasses
- Wrenches or a ratchet with sockets
- Wheel ramps or jack stands
- Pry bar
- Serpentine belt tool
- New or rebuilt alternator
- Put your Mazda truck on the wheel ramps or stands. Allow the engine to cool if it is hot. Chock the rear tires so it cannot roll back. Put on your safety glasses. Unhook the battery cables.
- Locate and loosen the serpentine belts pulley tensioner. If you turn the tensioner’s bolt clockwise you should be able to pull the belt off easily.
- Go under the truck and disconnect the electrical wiring from the back of the alternator. There should be two mounting bolts and those need to come out also. You may need wrench extenders to reach these. Unhook the alternator and remove it out the bottom of the truck.
- Use the same route you removed the old alternator and replace it with the new or rebuilt one. Mount it back with the bolts you took out of the old one and tighten them down well.
- Replace the electrical connectors to the same positions they were in previously.
- Replace the serpentine belt by doing the same thing you did to remove it the first time. Before you leave this part of the installation make certain the belt is routed where it was when you began.
- Return the used alternator to where you bought it. Most alternators are re-manufactured and you could be due a refund for the exchange.