The Pontiac Montana alternator is designed to act as a generator, producing electrical power to keep the battery charged and running. The Montana has had problems with the electrical systems in the past, with wires corroding and shorting out some of the systems. You may find yourself needing to replace the alternator due to malfunction in the charging system or because of worn parts. The alternator can be replaced fairly easily in about 1 to 2 hours, saving you the expense and time of taking it into the shop.
Detach the negative battery cable from the battery of the Pontiac Montana with an open end wrench and move the cable so that it is not touching any metal objects.
Locate the alternator in the front of the engine on the passenger side of the engine compartment. The alternator will be on the top, side of the engine with a belt running to the crankshaft pulley.
Unfasten the electrical wire connector from the alternator by using a socket wrench to undo the nut and take the electrical wire connector off the terminal.
Loosen the bolts holding the alternator in place with a socket wrench just enough so that you can move the alternator on the bracket, and take the alternator belt off the pulley. Note: Do not remove the belt from the crankshaft pulley.
Undo both bolts on the alternator with a socket wrench until you can remove the bolts completely and take the alternator out of the bracket, removing it entirely from the engine compartment.
Position the new alternator in the bracket and slide the bolts back into place, tightening the bolts with a socket wrench until you can just barely slide the alternator on the bracket.
Place the alternator belt around the alternator pulley and check the position of the belt around both the crankshaft and alternator pulleys to verify that it is seated properly.
Place a crow bar between the alternator and engine block and pull back on the alternator with the bar to add tension to the belt.
Tighten the bolts on the alternator with a socket wrench while you keep the tension on the alternator belt.
Reattach the electrical wire connector to the alternator terminal by placing the connector and the nut on the terminal and securing with a socket wrench.
Connect the negative battery cable to the battery of the Pontiac Montana with an open end wrench.
