2011 Dodge Caravan Mainstreet. Did everything in the first half of video but had to remove radiator fan and slide alternator over to driver side to get it out. Pain in the butt, but it worked. Saved an easy $1000.
Great video. I was glad that you put this up as I did not have to remove the radiator fan assembly as every other video and instructions say. It's a jigsaw puzzle getting the alternator out and back in, but it eventually came out. I was going to jack the engine up slightly if it didn't. Thanks!
Just replaced my alternator. Your video was excellent helper. Thank you! (Only thing a newbie might need to know is: Use a 3/8 drive ratchet to pull up on serpentine belt "tensioner pulley")
I find this the easiest method to replace the alternator in this van. The hardest part of the job is maneuvering and finding the way to pull out the alternator. Besides that, it takes me about 40 mins to change it out.
This video saved me! I was far from home on a road trip when the battery light came on, and thanks to this video, I spent some time in an auto parts store parking lot and then got back on the road, and made it home safe and sound.
While you CAN disconnect the battery on a running vehicle to see if the alternator is working, you very well might cause a voltage spike that could blow the regulator, or fry the computer by doing this. I rebuild alternators for a living, and if a customer says they did this to their vehicle, the warranty is automatically in question for the alternator. The best way to actually test to see if the alternator is working is by doing the first test and using a voltmeter, don't disconnect the battery, that is what we call in the industry the "farmer test".
I had to do this today but I watched a few videos first, including yours. I did almost everything exactly the same way except I didn't take out the bolt on the bracket holding the coolant lines. I just wiggled the alternator past the lines. I did loosen one 10 mm bolt on the washer fluid tank and removed the other so I could get it out of the way. I also took the belt off first so it didn't get wet when I removed the radiator hose. Thank you for the post.
Excellent work , Sir . Very well done . This is NOT an easy job ! I had to do mine today . Very thankful for this excellent video . I highly recommend this video over and above others I saw . Thank you for your time , dear All Tsab , much appreciated .
Hey this is a good video but I wanted to let you know you don't have to take all of that stuff off your car there is plenty enough room to take it out from the bottom. You take off your wheel take off the plastic shroud, take the belt off , the ac compressor loos don't disconnect the coolent lines pull it down just enough to get to the alternator bolts take the bolts and Connecting wiring harness and the hot wire off and pull it out the bottom. Other videos will show step by step how to do it.
Thanks for the video. Currently this morning the van started and then shut off. Lights were all flashing like low battery. I charged it and it started fine still with the battery light. Few minutes later everything started dying again. Battery shows 12.5 or so volts when running. Haven't got back too it yet.
What Tsab mentions about having to replace unreliable remanufactured alternators is very true. I made the mistake of having Firestone put a remanufactured alternator in my 11 Caravan for around six hundred $$ only for it to go bad just after the 1 year warranty expired. Then had it done at a Dodge dealer that put a brand new one in for just under a thousand $$.
What is the knocking in the inside of cabin ? I feel like it keeps going on while the car is off and it keeps draining my battery. I will also be changing alternator soon.
@@alltsab I'm getting a no fuse code pop up the odd time. Changed harmonic balancer. Water pump. Idler pulley. It chewed up my belt and it only had 2 ribs left. On my way to the store to get a new belt the battery light came on. Killed the battery. So Changed the belt in the parking lot. Boosted it and the light remains. I don't think it's coincidence that the alternator died the same time the belt got chewed up. What do you think?
I thought about changing it but after looking at your video I think I will send to a mechanic. Do you know roughly how much a job like that would cost? I have a 2013 model with rear AC?
Many things can cause overheating. Check for leak, clog radiator, thermostat not open, bad head gasket, bad radiator cap, air in the system, not enough coolant. Any of this can cause it. In morning don't start your car yet open your radiator cap to see coolant is all the up if not it could be just low coolant. Inspect all the items I list it should be one of it.
@@alltsabwell taking the alternator off I took the hose and thermostat housing coolant did come out of the reservoir. I'm wondering if air is in the system but I'm not sure. Is there a way to check?
I was able to get out without pulling top radiator just take ac compressor loose an your able to get enough flex out of ac lines to squeeze altenator thro in an out
No! To remove it from underneath you have to remove the AC compressor first. So unless yours doesn't have AC (Air Conditioning) then don't try from the bottom.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! After watching 6000-or-7000, times, I finally paid attention (unbolted A/C lines that I swore never even came close to being the hang-up 'cause the tubes weren't (visibly) scratched on top. GREATER video AFTER I paid attention, instead of "been fixing cars fifty years, that AIN'T the #!%&*)(+" problem."
@@eligarza2435 Yes, the lines ARE pressurized, but specifically ONLY the hold-down bolt for the lines can be removed enough to move the lines, without loss or damage to freon. I see how I VERY POORLY worded that, Thanks!
DITTO! I read some of the other comments about trying to pull it from the bottom and they were WRONG. This was the ONLY way to do it on a 2012 VW Routan (rebadged Caravan). Should've saved myself hours and just followed the video step by step. When I did, it took 30 minutes!
@@BigNickSnr Well, the next time I might not have "as much fun" trying to save 5 minutes by turning them into hours! (Some Aspects of Repairing NEVER CHANGE -pride, obstinacy, ego, etc. - LOL)
YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO DISCONNECT THE POWER WHILE ON U CN MESS UP THE COMPUTER RARE BUT HAPPENS.. AND SECOND YOU MIGHT STILL HAVE ENOUGH JUICE TO KEEP THE CAR ON BUT ITS NOT CHARGING YOUR BATTERY AND KEEPING UR CAR ON ON VERY LOW AMP OUTPUT
If you disconnect the battery on a newer vehicle even if your alternator is working the vehicle will shot off so if that is not the proper way of testing it you have to have a voltmeter of some sort
But it’s an amazing video help me out a lot I don’t normally work on small cars I am a heavy equipment mechanic it literally took me 20 minutes to take the alternator out I owe you one
@@johnpeters215 thank, I never experienced one yet in newer car that disconnect battery and car die with good alternator. I have my own car 2015 lexus es350 didn't do that so may must be the 2019 or newer. Thanks for the expert idea hopefully some day I will run across one like you said.
Auto zone guy told me that disconnecting the battery while it's running is extremely dangerous on newer vehicles. It could fry some kind of system, I forget. Thousands of dollars of repairs if it happens. Older vehicles, that's the way we used to check the alternator.
Yea I've got both problems (alt and lifter tick) I thought Dodge would've made this generation of van alot more solid than their last. Seeing as though I have a 2016 R/T. Wont be shopping around for a dodge again or any FCA product for that matter. 🚮
@@christopherjohnson3614 just yank the intake and valve covers and swap the loose rockers. 3k oil change is the way to prevent it from then on. Pentastar is actually a great power plant.
@@kentearly805 yea its a strong motor but I just wish dodge and other companies wouldn't gouge us with these money pit ways man. Plus in some cases the tick has come back. I dunno dude.
@@christopherjohnson3614 If you tow a trailer or drive it heavily like for transportation services or otherwise, it is recommended to service the transmission more frequently. I do mine every 25-30K miles. Drove my previous 2011 Caravan to 258K. If you do tow with it, stick to the towing guidelines including the loaded weight. If you are not the original owner or don't know the vehicles service history only have the dealer do a Drain and Replace transmission service that does not flush out the Torque Converter.
Unnecessary work!!!!!! Remove right side tire and wheel well plastic cover, remove the bolts and pull it out just above the a/c compressor!!!! Try this !!! DO NOT REMOVE THE AIR FILTER HOUSING, DO NOT DRAIN RADIATOR AS THIS VIDEO SUGGESTS!!!!!!! N n
I like to think of myself as a decent shade tree mechanic, I originally took the tire and the wheel well off, to change the alternator. Now it it so much easier to get to the bolts and remove and replace the belt. The alternator WILL NOT, slide through the bottom. It will if you remove the AC lines, (which would be dumb). The easiest way is to feed it up like he does. You do have to remove the hose, you will need some 50/50, and you will have to burp the motor when it gets warmed up.
For me, the alternator on a 2013 dodge caravan was removed without a problem, I did not removed any hoses at all, maybe because I am a retired mechanic for 27 years repairs like this are much easy to do.
@@seabee1625 interesting. I like easier and less steps. Alternator changes were so much easier on older vehicles. I wonder if I can come in from the side on my 2012 Grand Caravan SXT 3.6L FI FFV DOHC
@@seabee1625 someone on here has a pretty decent video showing how to take the alternator out just how you explained. Except the individual had to loosen the a/c compressor bolts. He didn't detach any of the a/c lines either.
In my humble opinion, I think you should consider taking more time to better understand the things you're doing before demonstrating them on camera for others to attempt - many of whom will undoubtedly understand even less than you. This isn't meant to be rude, but rather constructive feedback for you to hopefully consider when planning future videos.
I wouldent call this difficult at all, I did a water pump on a 2013’ Ford Taurus and that’s a bitch lol, I mean….. who puts a water pump inside an engine?
I know I did it once in the Lincoln I can feel your pain. That is the most stupid engineering Ford made 😂😆😆😆😆also Chevy did the same to the Malibu too but not as bad because 4 cylinder.
Is this an instructional video or you just having Fun??? If you're going to recommend folks do something to fix or diagnose...take them STEP BY STEP through the process. This is not an instructional video. 2 BIG thumbs down.
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2011 Dodge Caravan Mainstreet. Did everything in the first half of video but had to remove radiator fan and slide alternator over to driver side to get it out. Pain in the butt, but it worked. Saved an easy $1000.
Great work💪
Thanks! Alternator was a pain to get out! But your video helped me a lot. Saved me a lot of steps. My van is fixed now :)
Great job buddy
Great video. I was glad that you put this up as I did not have to remove the radiator fan assembly as every other video and instructions say. It's a jigsaw puzzle getting the alternator out and back in, but it eventually came out. I was going to jack the engine up slightly if it didn't. Thanks!
Thanks buddy
I followed all your steps in this video and saved money doing this myself. Thank you friend.
You welcome glad you got it done. Good job buddy
Just replaced my alternator. Your video was excellent helper. Thank you!
(Only thing a newbie might need to know is: Use a 3/8 drive ratchet to pull up on serpentine belt "tensioner pulley")
Thanks buddy
Yupp for a Kimberly I like you for saying that
What is an option if the tensioner bolt spins instead of removing tension from the belt?
@@BigBadJon19spin it the correct direction.
This did me a LOT of good and saved me taking the car to the mechanic. only took me 3 hours to do the job LOL.
I find this the easiest method to replace the alternator in this van. The hardest part of the job is maneuvering and finding the way to pull out the alternator. Besides that, it takes me about 40 mins to change it out.
This video saved me! I was far from home on a road trip when the battery light came on, and thanks to this video, I spent some time in an auto parts store parking lot and then got back on the road, and made it home safe and sound.
Great job buddy
While you CAN disconnect the battery on a running vehicle to see if the alternator is working, you very well might cause a voltage spike that could blow the regulator, or fry the computer by doing this. I rebuild alternators for a living, and if a customer says they did this to their vehicle, the warranty is automatically in question for the alternator. The best way to actually test to see if the alternator is working is by doing the first test and using a voltmeter, don't disconnect the battery, that is what we call in the industry the "farmer test".
You did a great step by step video man! Excellent job!
Thanks buddy
I had to do this today but I watched a few videos first, including yours. I did almost everything exactly the same way except I didn't take out the bolt on the bracket holding the coolant lines. I just wiggled the alternator past the lines. I did loosen one 10 mm bolt on the washer fluid tank and removed the other so I could get it out of the way. I also took the belt off first so it didn't get wet when I removed the radiator hose. Thank you for the post.
Great job buddy 👍
Excellent work , Sir . Very well done . This is NOT an easy job ! I had to do mine today . Very thankful for this excellent video . I highly recommend this video over and above others I saw . Thank you for your time , dear All Tsab , much appreciated .
Thank you
Great instructional video. I appreciate it! God bless!
Thanks
Hey this is a good video but I wanted to let you know you don't have to take all of that stuff off your car there is plenty enough room to take it out from the bottom. You take off your wheel take off the plastic shroud, take the belt off , the ac compressor loos don't disconnect the coolent lines pull it down just enough to get to the alternator bolts take the bolts and Connecting wiring harness and the hot wire off and pull it out the bottom. Other videos will show step by step how to do it.
Thanks
This video worked great just finished replacing mine
Thanks for the video. Currently this morning the van started and then shut off. Lights were all flashing like low battery. I charged it and it started fine still with the battery light. Few minutes later everything started dying again. Battery shows 12.5 or so volts when running. Haven't got back too it yet.
Yup definitely your alternator
Thank you so much it really helped I get it about removing the sensor, but I didn't have the tool so I got it done , wife's happy it's done.🤙👏😁👍
Nice
Thank you sir! Great way to replace the alternator,. Other vids have removing the air compressor and taking other things out best left alone
Thanks
This worked for me! thank you for the video!
What Tsab mentions about having to replace unreliable remanufactured alternators is very true. I made the mistake of having Firestone put a remanufactured alternator in my 11 Caravan for around six hundred $$ only for it to go bad just after the 1 year warranty expired. Then had it done at a Dodge dealer that put a brand new one in for just under a thousand $$.
That's expensive job
Best video of all quick easy an straight to the point wonderful video facts
Thanks
Cheers! You saved me a few hundred in labor costs at least!
Great Video Thank You
Nice! I was able to do it in about 30mn... Thanks for the the upload
Great
I can not find the fuses
@@MrWoodyonPC There is no alternator fuse in this vehicle.
Impossible to do in 30 minutes
@@kennethhacko4834 i ended up doing mine in about 20 and im a noob
Awesome video sir
Thanks 😊
Been searching for that test light for a minute
Thanks for the video, it helped tons only thing was it the video was pretty dark so it was had to see what you were doing.
You welcome buddy
Good stuff Thank you!!
Nice video bro. You're better than Geico cuz you just save me a bunch of money. Great video bra
You welcome help me subscribe ok buddy
I too have an '12 caravan, in my case the battery light comes ans goes. What you think could be the issue. Any suggestions I should be looking into
Good point . testing before you putting....
Si quitas el abanico sale muy bien !!!!!!!!!
Well done
Thank you!
He's right I got 3 that didn't work it was hell too
Thanks!
2013 model, I had to take the 2 nuts off the engine mount and jack the engine up using a block of wood on the oil pan to get the alternator out
That sound like easier
If you had rear air it makes it 10x as hard . What a basterd to change
i have a 2013 , are all like that ? i wanted to replace mine. why cic you need to put a block of wood on the oil pan ?
@@flyingdragoncar4975 had to jack the engine up to make enough room. Use a block of wood on the jack under the oil pan so you don't damage anything
thanks!
What is the knocking in the inside of cabin ? I feel like it keeps going on while the car is off and it keeps draining my battery.
I will also be changing alternator soon.
The knocking could be the actuator is going out or stuck.
Thanks
Ty
Which fuses did you check specifically for the alternator.. I have a battery light on. And I don't think it's my alternator
Don't remember now because I don't have the vehicle with me but if you look at the fuses cover it should show directions.
@@alltsab I'm getting a no fuse code pop up the odd time. Changed harmonic balancer. Water pump. Idler pulley. It chewed up my belt and it only had 2 ribs left. On my way to the store to get a new belt the battery light came on. Killed the battery. So Changed the belt in the parking lot. Boosted it and the light remains. I don't think it's coincidence that the alternator died the same time the belt got chewed up. What do you think?
@@jamieengland9921 possible alternator is out.
What fuses and relay are related to the altenator? I don't see anything labeled related to the altemator
I have the same question, I can't find where it says the "alternator fuse/relay"
None in this vehicle.
I hear the same valve tapping on my 2012 caravan when its running. Seems like a common problem.
13mm top and bottom bolt
How much is for replacement alternator?
I thought about changing it but after looking at your video I think I will send to a mechanic. Do you know roughly how much a job like that would cost? I have a 2013 model with rear AC?
I don't know 😕
I heard this job calls for 1.7 hours of labor.
the battery keeps dying on my van but no battery light on, can the battery be bad but not light ON in the dash?
Yes
I did this yesterday. I had to refill some of the coolant in the van. Today it wants to overheat. Any idea why?
Many things can cause overheating. Check for leak, clog radiator, thermostat not open, bad head gasket, bad radiator cap, air in the system, not enough coolant. Any of this can cause it. In morning don't start your car yet open your radiator cap to see coolant is all the up if not it could be just low coolant. Inspect all the items I list it should be one of it.
Make sure help subscribe my channel ok
@@alltsabwell taking the alternator off I took the hose and thermostat housing coolant did come out of the reservoir. I'm wondering if air is in the system but I'm not sure. Is there a way to check?
I thought i could do this myself….but it looks like I will not even try 😭 lol. Thank you tho.
Try to know how easy it is.
Dear I have a question.
Can the car run in the case of the alternator charging is disabled?
As long battery is full is will run until battery drain out.
@@alltsab
Thank you dear,🙏🌹 I understand that well, but the car restarted when running without alternator ( dynamo) ?
I was able to get out without pulling top radiator just take ac compressor loose an your able to get enough flex out of ac lines to squeeze altenator thro in an out
That's great
Would it be easier to remove from bottom? Just wondering bc i was told by "mechanic" that THAT'S how they would hafta do it... ✌
Maybe you can try it and share it with us.
No! To remove it from underneath you have to remove the AC compressor first. So unless yours doesn't have AC (Air Conditioning) then don't try from the bottom.
What sensor is that which was removed?
Camshaft sensor
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! After watching 6000-or-7000, times, I finally paid attention (unbolted A/C lines that I swore never even came close to being the hang-up 'cause the tubes weren't (visibly) scratched on top. GREATER video AFTER I paid attention, instead of "been fixing cars fifty years, that AIN'T the #!%&*)(+" problem."
If I unbolt the ac lines do they have any kind of pressure or freon in them
@@eligarza2435 Yes, the lines ARE pressurized, but specifically ONLY the hold-down bolt for the lines can be removed enough to move the lines, without loss or damage to freon. I see how I VERY POORLY worded that, Thanks!
Thanks for the help it worked
DITTO! I read some of the other comments about trying to pull it from the bottom and they were WRONG. This was the ONLY way to do it on a 2012 VW Routan (rebadged Caravan). Should've saved myself hours and just followed the video step by step. When I did, it took 30 minutes!
@@BigNickSnr Well, the next time I might not have "as much fun" trying to save 5 minutes by turning them into hours! (Some Aspects of Repairing NEVER CHANGE -pride, obstinacy, ego, etc. - LOL)
YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO DISCONNECT THE POWER WHILE ON U CN MESS UP THE COMPUTER RARE BUT HAPPENS.. AND SECOND YOU MIGHT STILL HAVE ENOUGH JUICE TO KEEP THE CAR ON BUT ITS NOT CHARGING YOUR BATTERY AND KEEPING UR CAR ON ON VERY LOW AMP OUTPUT
Why don't you go from below? It's easier and a lot faster
T25 torx
Thanks
If you disconnect the battery on a newer vehicle even if your alternator is working the vehicle will shot off so if that is not the proper way of testing it you have to have a voltmeter of some sort
I
But it’s an amazing video help me out a lot I don’t normally work on small cars I am a heavy equipment mechanic it literally took me 20 minutes to take the alternator out I owe you one
@@johnpeters215 thank, I never experienced one yet in newer car that disconnect battery and car die with good alternator. I have my own car 2015 lexus es350 didn't do that so may must be the 2019 or newer. Thanks for the expert idea hopefully some day I will run across one like you said.
Auto zone guy told me that disconnecting the battery while it's running is extremely dangerous on newer vehicles. It could fry some kind of system, I forget. Thousands of dollars of repairs if it happens. Older vehicles, that's the way we used to check the alternator.
True, we have to test all junk, made in China.
Shame the ticking sound means the car needs new lifters, probably new cams as well.
Mine's been ticking 6 years and it still runs like a dream. 283hp sleeper. Not an issue at all
At 8:10 you took a sensor out what is that sensor called
I found out it's the actuator cam phaser, it's important if someone later needs that info, thanks for this video friend it helped
@@erichart2756 yes you are correct. Thanks
You need to replace those worn out rocker arms before they eat your camshafts!
Yea I've got both problems (alt and lifter tick) I thought Dodge would've made this generation of van alot more solid than their last. Seeing as though I have a 2016 R/T. Wont be shopping around for a dodge again or any FCA product for that matter. 🚮
@@christopherjohnson3614 just yank the intake and valve covers and swap the loose rockers. 3k oil change is the way to prevent it from then on. Pentastar is actually a great power plant.
@@kentearly805 yea its a strong motor but I just wish dodge and other companies wouldn't gouge us with these money pit ways man. Plus in some cases the tick has come back. I dunno dude.
Also I've replaced the trans twice within 40k miles of each other. Once at 55k and next at 79k. Absolutely terrible. Not even at 100k yet
@@christopherjohnson3614 If you tow a trailer or drive it heavily like for transportation services or otherwise, it is recommended to service the transmission more frequently. I do mine every 25-30K miles. Drove my previous 2011 Caravan to 258K. If you do tow with it, stick to the towing guidelines including the loaded weight. If you are not the original owner or don't know the vehicles service history only have the dealer do a Drain and Replace transmission service that does not flush out the Torque Converter.
I dont know but your way seems the hardest so far because the one guy pulled it out after removing the fan and it seem very simple hmmmmm
Unnecessary work!!!!!! Remove right side tire and wheel well plastic cover, remove the bolts and pull it out just above the a/c compressor!!!! Try this !!! DO NOT REMOVE THE AIR FILTER HOUSING, DO NOT DRAIN RADIATOR AS THIS VIDEO SUGGESTS!!!!!!! N n
I like to think of myself as a decent shade tree mechanic, I originally took the tire and the wheel well off, to change the alternator. Now it it so much easier to get to the bolts and remove and replace the belt. The alternator WILL NOT, slide through the bottom. It will if you remove the AC lines, (which would be dumb). The easiest way is to feed it up like he does. You do have to remove the hose, you will need some 50/50, and you will have to burp the motor when it gets warmed up.
For me, the alternator on a 2013 dodge caravan was removed without a problem, I did not removed any hoses at all, maybe because I am a retired mechanic for 27 years repairs like this are much easy to do.
I just wish I had a video to prove it
@@seabee1625 interesting. I like easier and less steps. Alternator changes were so much easier on older vehicles. I wonder if I can come in from the side on my
2012 Grand Caravan SXT 3.6L FI FFV DOHC
@@seabee1625 someone on here has a pretty decent video showing how to take the alternator out just how you explained. Except the individual had to loosen the a/c compressor bolts. He didn't detach any of the a/c lines either.
Hardest part is the stupid power clip. Idkhow to take these things off
You didnt have to take out the Radiator fan
Nope
Take the radiator out. You’re doing way too much work. Drain the fluid. Take the rad out; it’s on hooks.
dude if you dont know dont post up a video on it.....there is a much easyer way removing wheel....
In my humble opinion, I think you should consider taking more time to better understand the things you're doing before demonstrating them on camera for others to attempt - many of whom will undoubtedly understand even less than you. This isn't meant to be rude, but rather constructive feedback for you to hopefully consider when planning future videos.
I wouldent call this difficult at all, I did a water pump on a 2013’ Ford Taurus and that’s a bitch lol, I mean….. who puts a water pump inside an engine?
I know I did it once in the Lincoln I can feel your pain. That is the most stupid engineering Ford made 😂😆😆😆😆also Chevy did the same to the Malibu too but not as bad because 4 cylinder.
Is this an instructional video or you just having Fun??? If you're going to recommend folks do something to fix or diagnose...take them STEP BY STEP through the process. This is not an instructional video. 2 BIG thumbs down.