Replacing an alternator on a Mercury Mystique is going to test your skills as an amateur mechanic. It's a doable operation, but it's going to take skill and some tools. If you have what it takes, it will certainly save you a heap of money in labor charges from the local service station. It is recommended not to hurry yourself when doing this repair and allow yourself some time in order to do it. Although the alternator is near the top of the engine, there is some stuff to get out of the way to extract it and the worst part is having to get under the vehicle to relieve tension on the drive belt. Grab your tools, get in some clothes you don't care about, and get ready to get dirty.
Park the Mystique on a flat, level paved or concrete surface. If the motor is hot, allow it to cool down. Release the hood latch and open the hood.
Place a wheel chock behind one of the rear tires.
Remove the negative battery terminal from the battery. Tuck the terminal down the side of the battery so the thick cable does not let it slide back up and come into contact with the negative terminal post of the battery during the replacement of the alternator.
Remove the air box duct work covering the belt pulleys in the Mystique. This includes the air intake resonator, the air tube from the air box to the throttle body and the mass airflow sensor.
Lift the Mystique with the floor jack and place the jack stand on the rocker panel.
Crawl underneath with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and insert the 3/8 inch drive into the hole in the tensioner. Turn counterclockwise to release tension on the drive belt. Remove the belt from the alternator pulley only. You do not need to remove the drive belt. Remove the ratchet from the tensioner pulley.
Remove the alternator mounting bracket bolts and remove the mounting bracket.
Lower the Mystique back to the ground.
Remove the power steering hose and bracket as one unit.
Remove the two front and one rear alternator bolts.
Pry the alternator forward away from the engine block and unplug the wire from it. Lift the red rubber plug and remove the nut to the alternator post, and disconnect the cables from the alternator.
Remove the alternator with one hand while keeping the power steering hose and bracket out of your way with your other hand.
Place the new alternator into position and plug it into the wire. Replace the cables and nut and tighten.
Insert the alternator bolts and tighten tightly.
Replace the power steering hose and bracket, and tighten with the ratchet or hand wrench.
Raise the Mystique again and support it on a jack stand under the rocker panel.
Reinstall the alternator bracket and bolts, and tighten.
Release the tension on the drive belt again using the ratchet and place the belt back onto the alternator pulley. Make sure the belt is correctly placed on all the other pulleys before you lower the vehicle.
Lower the Mystique.
Tighten the alternator bolts properly.
Reinstall the air cleaner components.
Reconnect the negative battery terminal and test start the Mystique. Remove all tools and the wheel chock.
