In a 1997 Cadillac, there is an alternator mounted to the front of the engine that creates electricity for the car. When the alternator fails, so does the rest of the car, making it unable to drive. Fixing the problem can be simple and involves removing the original alternator to get it fixed or replaced. In this case, the project vehicle is a 1997 Cadillac Deville, but the process is similar for other 1997 Cadillacs as well.
Pop the hood. Remove the negative terminal from the battery with an open-end wrench. Follow by removing the positive terminal.
Attach a socket to the 3/8-inch breaker bar. Turn the tensioner on the front of the engine with the breaker bar until the belt goes slack. Slide the belt off the alternator pulley.
Pick up the front of the Cadillac with the jack. Set the car onto jack stands. Crawl underneath the front of the car and take off the electrical connections on the alternator with an open-end wrench and your hands. Unbolt the air-cooling duct from the alternator with a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket.
Unbolt the upper bolt from the alternator using a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Unbolt the air-injection crossover pipe from the engine using the ratchet. Unbolt the bottom bolt and nut from the engine bracket.
Lower the alternator out of the engine bracket.
