🔧 Kicks - Alternator Replacement

The alternator charges your A4’s battery—sorry, your Kicks battery—and powers the electrical system while the engine runs. Replacing it involves disconnecting the battery, removing the serpentine belt, unbolting the alternator, and reinstalling everything with correct belt routing and electrical connections.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable before touching alternator wiring.
• ⚠️ Never short the alternator’s main power stud to ground (it’s always “hot” if the battery is connected).
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool—working near the radiator and exhaust can burn you.
• ⚠️ If you raise the vehicle, support it on jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension set
• Serpentine belt tool or long 14mm box wrench
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Trim clip remover
• Flathead screwdriver
• Torque wrench (10–100 Nm range)
• Digital multimeter

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Alternator - Qty: 1
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1
• Battery terminal anti-corrosion pads or protectant - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Kicks on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and take a quick photo of the belt routing sticker (or draw a simple sketch).
• Have your radio presets handy if you care about them.
• Plan to replace the belt if it’s cracked/glazed—this is the best time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Disconnect the battery

• Use a 10mm socket to loosen the negative (-) battery terminal and remove it from the battery post.
• Tuck the cable aside so it can’t spring back.

Step 2: Remove the intake ducting for access

• Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the hose clamps on the air intake duct.
• Use a trim clip remover as needed to pop any plastic clips holding the duct/resonator.
• Lift the ducting out and set it aside.

Step 3: Raise the right-front corner (if needed for belt access)

• Use a floor jack to lift the right-front jacking point and place the vehicle on jack stands.
• If the lower splash shield blocks access, remove clips/screws with a trim clip remover and 10mm socket.

Step 4: Remove the serpentine belt

• Locate the belt tensioner. (The tensioner is a spring-loaded pulley that keeps the belt tight.)
• Use a serpentine belt tool or long 14mm box wrench on the tensioner to rotate it and relieve belt tension.
• Slip the belt off the alternator pulley first, then release the tensioner slowly.

Step 5: Unplug the alternator electrical connections

• Press the lock tab and unplug the alternator’s small connector by hand.
• Remove the rubber boot on the alternator power stud.
• Use a 12mm socket to remove the nut from the main power cable (B+ cable) and move the cable aside.
• Torque on install: 9.8 Nm (87 in-lb)

Step 6: Remove the alternator mounting bolts

• Support the alternator with one hand.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet and extensions to remove the alternator mounting bolts.
• Lift the alternator out from the top (or guide it out through the best opening available).

Step 7: Install the new alternator

• Position the new alternator in place and start the mounting bolts by hand (prevents cross-threading).
• Tighten the mounting bolts with a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 44 Nm (32 ft-lb)

Step 8: Reconnect alternator wiring

• Install the main power cable onto the alternator stud and tighten the nut using a 12mm socket.
• Torque to 9.8 Nm (87 in-lb)
• Reinstall the rubber boot over the power stud.
• Plug in the small alternator connector until it clicks.

Step 9: Reinstall the serpentine belt

• Route the belt exactly like your photo/diagram.
• Use the serpentine belt tool or long 14mm box wrench to rotate the tensioner and slip the belt over the alternator pulley last.
• Release the tensioner slowly and confirm the belt is centered on every pulley groove.

Step 10: Reinstall intake ducting and lower covers

• Reinstall any splash shields using a 10mm socket and trim clip remover.
• Lower the vehicle from the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Reinstall the intake ducting and tighten clamps using a flathead screwdriver.

Step 11: Reconnect the battery

• Install the negative (-) battery cable and tighten using a 10mm socket.
• Torque to 5.4 Nm (48 in-lb)
• Apply battery terminal protectant if you have it.

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✅ After Repair

• Start your Kicks and make sure the charge/battery warning light turns off.
• Use a digital multimeter at the battery: engine running should typically read about 13.5–14.7V.
• Listen for belt squeal or chirping; if you hear it, re-check belt routing and that the belt is seated in every pulley groove.
• Do a short test drive, then recheck for any loose connectors or oil/grease on the belt.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.