🔧 Kicks - Alternator Replacement

Replacing the alternator on your Kicks restores proper battery charging and prevents stalling, dim lights, and repeated dead-battery problems. The alternator is driven by the serpentine belt, so you will remove belt tension, disconnect the electrical wiring, unbolt the alternator, and install the new unit.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before touching the alternator wiring to prevent sparks or short circuits.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool fully before working near the exhaust side and belt area.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers, sleeves, and tools away from the belt and pulleys.
• ⚠️ Support the Kicks securely on jack stands if you raise the front end. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ The alternator output wire is a high-current cable. Do not let it touch metal while connected to the battery.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive breaker bar
• 3/8-inch drive extension set
• Serpentine belt tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Torque wrench, 5-80 Nm range
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Battery terminal brush
• Digital multimeter
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Alternator - Qty: 1
• Serpentine drive belt - Qty: 1
• Alternator output terminal nut - Qty: 1
• Battery terminal protectant - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Kicks on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Open the hood and let the engine cool completely.
• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before raising the front.
• Use a 10mm socket to disconnect the negative battery cable first. Move it aside so it cannot spring back onto the battery post.
• A serpentine belt tool is a long, thin wrench used to move the belt tensioner where a normal ratchet has limited space.
• Take a photo of the belt routing before removing the belt. This helps you reinstall it correctly.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Disconnect Battery Power

• Put on safety glasses and mechanic gloves.
• Use a 10mm socket to loosen the negative battery terminal clamp.
• Lift the negative cable off the battery post and tuck it away from the battery.
• If the terminal is dirty, clean it with a battery terminal brush.
• When reinstalling later, tighten the battery terminal nut to 5.4 Nm (48 in-lbs).

Step 2: Raise and Secure the Front

• Use a floor jack to raise the front of your Kicks at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the proper front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before working underneath.

Step 3: Remove the Lower Splash Shield

• Use a trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic push clips from the lower engine splash shield.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove any splash shield bolts.
• Set the shield and clips aside in order.
• Tip: Use a small tray for clips.

Step 4: Relieve Serpentine Belt Tension

• Locate the automatic belt tensioner near the front of the engine.
• The belt tensioner is a spring-loaded pulley that keeps the drive belt tight.
• Use a serpentine belt tool or 3/8-inch drive breaker bar on the tensioner fitting.
• Rotate the tensioner slowly to release belt tension.
• Slide the belt off the alternator pulley with your free hand.
• Slowly release the tensioner back to its resting position.

Step 5: Remove the Serpentine Belt

• Use your hand to remove the belt from the remaining pulleys.
• Compare the old belt to the new belt for length and rib count before installation.
• If reusing the old belt temporarily, mark the rotation direction with a marker before removal.
• Tip: Replace the belt while access is open.

Step 6: Disconnect Alternator Wiring

• From the alternator, press the locking tab on the small electrical connector and unplug it by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver gently only if the connector tab is stuck. Do not pry on the wires.
• Pull back the rubber cover from the large alternator output terminal.
• Use a 12mm or 13mm socket to remove the output terminal nut, depending on the replacement alternator terminal hardware.
• Move the cable away from the alternator and keep it from touching metal.
• During reassembly, tighten the alternator output terminal nut to 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs).

Step 7: Remove Alternator Mounting Bolts

• Support the alternator with one hand so it does not drop when the last bolt comes out.
• Use a 14mm socket, extension, and ratchet to loosen the upper alternator mounting bolt.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to loosen the lower alternator mounting bolt.
• Remove both bolts completely and keep them organized.
• During reassembly, tighten the alternator mounting bolts to 44 Nm (32 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Remove the Alternator

• Wiggle the alternator by hand to free it from the mounting bracket.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver carefully between the bracket and alternator ear.
• Do not pry against plastic housings or wiring.
• Lift the alternator out through the easiest opening from above or below, depending on clearance.

Step 9: Compare the Old and New Alternator

• Place both alternators side by side on a clean surface.
• Confirm the pulley style, mounting ears, electrical connector, and output terminal location match.
• Use a 17mm socket only if a pulley transfer is required by the replacement unit.
• If the pulley does not match, do not install it until the correct alternator is obtained.

Step 10: Install the New Alternator

• Position the new alternator into the mounting bracket by hand.
• Start the upper and lower mounting bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to snug both bolts evenly.
• Use a torque wrench and 14mm socket to tighten the mounting bolts to 44 Nm (32 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reconnect Alternator Wiring

• Push the small electrical connector into the alternator until it clicks.
• Install the large output cable onto the alternator stud by hand.
• Use a 12mm or 13mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the output terminal nut to 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs).
• Reinstall the rubber protective cover fully over the terminal.

Step 12: Install the Serpentine Belt

• Route the belt around the crankshaft pulley and other pulleys using your photo as a guide.
• Leave the alternator pulley for last because it is easy to reach.
• Use the serpentine belt tool or 3/8-inch drive breaker bar to rotate the tensioner.
• Slide the belt over the alternator pulley by hand.
• Slowly release the tensioner.
• Check that the belt ribs sit fully in every pulley groove.
• Tip: One missed rib can shred a belt.

Step 13: Reinstall the Splash Shield

• Lift the lower splash shield into position by hand.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or your fingers to reinstall the plastic push clips.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall the splash shield bolts.
• Tighten the small splash shield bolts snugly to 5-7 Nm (44-62 in-lbs).

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Reconnect the Battery

• Use the floor jack to raise the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Kicks fully to the ground.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable.
• Use a 10mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the terminal nut to 5.4 Nm (48 in-lbs).

Step 15: Verify Charging Voltage

• Set a digital multimeter to DC volts.
• Touch the red probe to the positive battery post and the black probe to the negative battery post.
• With the engine off, a charged battery should read about 12.4-12.7 volts.
• Start the engine and check again with the digital multimeter.
• With the engine running, normal charging voltage should be about 13.5-14.8 volts.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and listen for belt squeal, grinding, or clicking.
• Turn on headlights, blower fan, and rear defogger, then confirm the engine continues to idle normally.
• Check that the battery warning light turns off after startup.
• Inspect the belt again while the engine is off to confirm it is centered on all pulleys.
• Reset the clock, radio presets, and one-touch window function if needed after battery disconnect.
• If the battery warning light stays on, stop and recheck the alternator connector, output cable, belt routing, and battery terminal tightness.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $300-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

---

🎯 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.