This will be my first How to Write-up, ever! So, fellas and gals please be gentle....Lol! If, I missed anything or was misleading in anyway, please, let me know by PM. Also, PM me if you want to add to this write up and/or have suggestions.
This write-up is for the 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32). The vehicle I did this on is my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, but it should be the same procedure for all 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32) models before 2004, but I'm not sure.
I also suggest to keep all the nuts and bolts that you remove organized. Find a method to do this, that works best for you. This will save you a lot of headaches and prevent you from damaging other parts. It makes it a lot easier to put back together. Lol....do you get my drift!
These are the tools you are going to need for the alternator replacement.
Tools-
Breaker Bar (For the serpentine belt tensioners)
Ratchet
13mm deep socket
13mm socket
15mm socket
13mm open close end wrench (12 pt)
3 in. socket extension
Optional Tools-
Adapter for the Breaker Bar
Multimeter/Voltmeter
Car Charger
First things first, I recommend to disconnect the battery. Remove the windshield wiper container (I don't have one, so no pics). Just find the screws or bolts and remove. Then, hook the battery charger up to the battery, if you don't have one just get a jump when you finish everything.
Note: if you have side post you can charge the battery before or after the alternator replacement.
I suggest you move the fuse relay center out the way for more working space, but it's up to you.
Now you need to remove the supercharger serpentine belt. To do this get the Breaker Bar and 15 mm socket and locate the tensioner, as seen in photo. Then push down or clockwise. Remove the serp belt.
Now remove the other serp belt using the same technique, but you have to push counter clockwise. This tensioner is to the left of the other one underneath the alternator pulley.
Now remove the bar on the alternator going below the coil pack. You can use the 13mm socket to remove the top nut and then use the 13mm deep socket to remove the bolt. Use the 13mm deep socket with the 3 in. socket extension for the nut below the coil packs.
Remove this nut that's behind the alternator with the 13mm open close end wrench. The close end worked best for me.
Don't forget to disconnect the connector that is back there also.
Remove the 2 bolts that are behind the alternator down towards the bottom. Use the 13mm open close end wrench. The close end wrench worked best for me here also.
The last bolt I remove is the one below the alternator, you have to feel around for it, but it's there. Use the 13mm deep socket with the socket extension.
Now, just pull the alternator out, it shouldn't be to difficult to remove. If it is, just wiggle it and lift.
To put it all back together just follow these instructions from the end to the beginning. It shouldn't be to hard to put back together. The belt routing is on top, over the fuse relay center.
Once you get it all together, start her up and get the multimeter, if you have one, and check the voltage. The alternator will typically put out between 13.8 to 14.8 volts, when the engine is running.
All in all I think this is a fairly easy project that should take no more than an hour and if it does it's no big deal as long as you get it right.
