DIY Jeff Anytime. :]. Lol. Actually I just fisnished getting it out 15 min ago. Did not even need even need the tool for getting the belt off. Just used the double wrench method. Lol with a 19mm and 18mm box end. Hardest part is pulling it threw the mess of hoses. Haha
Crazywaffle5150 , yep, I think I mentioned it in the video, but it took me awhile too. But the plus side is you don’t have to disconnect and connect them. Plus, discounting hoses like power steering can be a real problem and mess.
DIY Jeff True. Lol. I got around it. Thanks for posting this video again!. I'm up an running now :D. 140 bucks later after buying a new Alt at Auto Zone.
...there is a dude that simply took a pry bar and leveraged the tension pulley in such a way that the timing belt can just slip right off the alternator.... SOO MUCH FASTER AND EASIER.
Wanted to let you know that I followed your video step by step and replaced the alternator on our 2003 Honda Odyssey successfully after it failed us on the freeway this week. I appreciate you and your knowledge and willingness to share it with all of us. You saved my family money and help me learn something new in maintaining our van. You’re the best.
Thanks for your helpful video, Jeff. I replaced my Alternator in my 2001 Odyssey over the weekend. After watching your video, it appears to be easier to complete the alternator replacement on a 1999-2001 2nd Gen Odyssey, than with a 2002-2004 2nd Gen, since I was able employ my belt tensioner tool from the top side instead of from underneath. I still had to jack the car up and remove the plastic undercarriage skin to properly fit the belt back onto the pulleys. Your recommended tools for completing this job was a true life-saver. Thank you so much!
Thanks for posting this video. I got stuck in ORD parking lot with a bad alternator around 7p.m. No one would fix it until next day. So, I hitched a ride to autozone to pick up an alternator and some tools. Watched you video and installed it in the parking lot within 2 hours. Thanks, you're a hero.
GREAT video. Changed my brother's 2000 Odyssey alternator. Only thing we did differently was to remove the top bolt when reassembling in order to get the belt over the alternator, then use a wrench to remove the tension from the tensioner then swivel the alternator back into position to replace the top (or right side) bolt. It was way, way easier, and we didn't have to get under the vehicle at all. Thanks for a clear, concise video.
Followed everything step by step and had a successful replacement of the alternator in my odyssey. Couldn't have done this without you! And for all the people commentng on the whole power steering and brake resivouir part, i think we all knew what he meant.
*Anyone reading/doing this in 2021* I strongly suggest removing the tensioner in the 03-04. I just did mine, and messed around trying to get the 14mm bolt in for seriously like an hour. Went under and just took out the 17mm (i think that was the size) that held the tensioner in and was able to get that 14mm in immediately. I don't have a ratcheting wrench, I'm sure it would have helped if I did, but I still don't think it's worth it. Just remove the tensioner, IMO. Great Video though! Much appreciated.
Love his approach! I did pretty much what he said and while it was a chore, I'm up and running. THE ONLY THING I'LL ADD is I suggest you remove the bolt holding the bracket that holds the upper alternator bolt and the wire harness. Getting the alternator in and out was easy after taking the bracket off. I'm with CrazyWaffle... this is the best video I saw.
Just did this repair tonight. Alternators have always felt "above my pay grade" because of the tensioner stuff, but your vid helped make it seem far less intimidating. So thanks for doing what you're doing! I was able to do this job successfully in about 2-1/2 to 3 hours. I'm sure now that I've done it once I'll be able to go much faster in the future!
@@karenwohlforth8967 the first time I did it (I had to do it again since my last comment) it took several hours, but that was because of a bolt that was put in backwards from a previous repair. The second time, probably less than 2 hours. It was much easier.
Also...... The pulley tensioner is accessible from the top by fabricating a simple wrench. Take a piece of 1" x 1/8" x 24" ish steel bar and a T50 bit (which I got by dissembling a cheap socket). Cut down the T50 bit to a length of 3/4", drill a hole in the end of the steel bar slightly to small for the hex end of the T50 to pass through, then press the bit into the hole with a vise. T50 was the size required to fit the bolt in the center of the pulley on the tensioner on my 2002
Hey Jeff, I never comment on videos like these (although I use them often) but your video was excellent and incredibly helpful. I got the alternator swapped out in 1.5 hours without much trouble at all. Saved me tons of time, probably some bloody knuckles, and some cash. Much thanks.
This is a great informative video, I just replaced my alternator on my 1999 Honda Odyssey EX and it went a little different than the steps in the video. I originally tried putting in a duralast alternator from autozone and it didn’t work properly. It was putting out erratic voltage and making the MIL lights on the dash flicker erratically including the battery light while other times the lights were solid (like when accelerating). I ended up putting in an OEM Denso alternator and it’s working great. A couple things that were different on the 1999 I used a serpentine belt tension tool I got from harbor freight and I was actually able to get on the tensioner nut with the long bar and the included 14 mm crows foot from the topside of the engine. I still had to jack up the car and remove the splash guards to get the belt back properly on the pulleys though. The tensioner nut is 14 mm on the ‘99. Lower alternator bolt is 14 mm and upper bolt is 12 mm as stated in the video. I used the half open half ratcheting box wrench for the 14 mm lower bolt with the ratcheting box end on it until I could get a 1/4 drive 14 mm ratchet and socket on it to finish tightening it. As others have said that’s the powering steering fluid reservoir not the brake fluid reservoir. I used some small vise grips with tags to clamp the hoses shut and a package of Dorman rubber caps to cap off the reservoir when removing it. Just make sure you refill your powering steering fluid after reconnecting the reservoir and burp out any air by turning your steering all the way back and forth a few times with the cap removed. Hope this helps.
Great video, Three tricks that will help it go even smoother. 1. Just remove the power steering reservoir completely it will free up a lot of room. 2. Put a jack under the oil pan and lift up about a quarter to half an inch this will free up a little bit of room. 3. Use your tensioner wrench and push the tensioner to the side this will create a lot of room for the alternator to slide out and the new one in.
Im gonna use this info to try to make this repair on my 2004 honda odyssey, looks like the most efficient video i have ever seen in doing a repair at home. Im gonna check to see if my brother coukd help , i may not have the arm strength to do it on my own. 😂
Two suggestions to make a bit more room to remove the alternator: The right (14 m) bolt connects to a bracket. The bracket can be removed to provide additional space. You can also get a bit more room by keeping the tensioner pulley retracted. You can do this by rigging a piece of wood to keep the tensioner pulley tool in the retracted position.
gracias...!!!😊.. no ablo ingles pero el simple video me sirvio de guia para poder reparar mi honda odyssey 2003...me ahorre mucho dinero en mecanicos gracias a usted siga suviendo sus viedeos.. tankio..!
Traduje tu mensaje. Me alegra que haya sido útil para ti. Perdón por la barrera del idioma, pero la tecnología es una gran herramienta para que todas las nacionalidades puedan ayudarse mutuamente.
Hey Jeff, thank you so much for posting these video. It helped me a great deal. I replaced my alternator with no problems. Great tip on ratcheting wrench saved me so much time and frustrations. Great video and THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
Thanks for the vid! It helped a lot. I found it much easier to maneuver the alternator when I removed the upper mount bracket that the 12mm bolt goes into. Thanks again!
I enjoyed the video .... you explain the steps well and I appreciate the detail with respect to safety. I also appreciated the "patience" comments to warn the listener that some procedures are stubborn and requires a little time to wiggle and or/unsnap ..... I found the wiring harness to be difficult to remove.
Scott, you're welcome. I'm confident you can do it. I do suggest the pulley tool though. Without it will be much more difficult to loosen the tension on the belt to remove it.
DIY Jeff I did get the tensioner pulley tool on loan from the local auto parts shop. Without it, I would not have been able to complete. I completed the job without any issues. The only part not covered in the video was the engine splash shield. That was a pain but once I had it off, all went smooth. Thank you!
great step by step video...iam about to replace my alternator ill try to be as calm as you are,i usually cuss or perhaps throw wrenches on my pistoff drywall spot.
Thanks for the help. Took some splash guarding off to gain access to the tensioning pulley and a wrench fit right on. Took time and patients but it wiggled right out saved me a bunch of money.
It worked like a charm except that it was too tight a spot to get the 19mm socket onto the serpentine belt tensioner bolt, even with the tool I rented from oreilly's . Amazingly, a 3/4 open ended wrench worked like a charm. The serpentine belt tool seemed totally unnecessary. Thanks for this video!
I have to say, this video was a huge help. However, this job is the biggest pain in the ass to do! Engineers make Mechanic's lives much harder than they should be to say the least...
Tim, that's great! The tensioner pulley is accessible from the engine bay on Odyssey's newer than 2004. Good thinking on using a bar for leverage, saving you from renting or buying a tensioner pulley tool.
Thanks for this video bro. I'm about to get to working on my 2000 as soon as dawn breaks. 31f this morning in Ohio. Beats the snow last year when I had to replace my radiator.
I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey with 342 thousand miles on it and I'm still on the original Honda alternator. Before I begin my summer road trips, I always have my mechanic test the alternator and if it checks out perfect, I feel like it's good to get me through the rest of the summer. Now, I'm at the place were I feel like I need to replace it before it fails, just as a form of insurance.
@@DIYJeff I saw the link you posted for the ACDelco 334-1319 Professional Alternator, Remanufactured for my 2001 Honda Odyssey. Would that part last at least 60k to 80k? The Honda Dealership parts counter is pricing $500 for just buying the Genuine Honda Replacement Alternator, not including paying the service center to install it. I'm gong to install the replacement alternator myself so, new aftermarket or rebuilt aftermarket is the only avenue I can afford.
cgrscott, I've always been pleased with AC Delco parts. There is of course no guarantee, other than the limited warranty, but I would feel confident in putting it in my vehicle and expect at least 100k+.
also i ended up using a 19mm wrench to turn the tensioner pulley to release the serpentine belt on the bottom of my vehicle and it worked great for me.
Hey all -- just a tip, Jeff says you cannot reach the tensioner nut from above, this is incorrect. using the serpentine belt tool and a small 19mm allows enough room to turn the tool *sideways* from the rear of the engine cavity, & slip in the crack, then pull back up like you were approaching from the bottom. You'll have enough leverage on the bolt to loosen to complete this job w/o ever getting under the van. Gool luck all!!
Great video, thank you. I do have a question. My 2004 Honda Odyssey has 261,000 miles, with the original tensioner pulley and alternator. A pro shop tested the alternator and it is still functioning perfectly. But i plan for the alternator shop to take it apart and rejuvenate it. Wouldn't it make sense, with 261000 miles, to also replace the tensioner pulley, making the alternator easier to remove and re-install?
@Tells The Truth, at 261,000 miles, if the tensioner pulley is original, I'd suggest replacing it while you're in there. It would be a good preventative maintenance since at that point its just pulling out a bolt and putting a new one in. It only takes about 5 minutes to replace it since the belt will already be off.
@Joseph Carlos, if you hit a bump and lights go on, including battery light, I'd suggest you have a short somewhere. I'd start by looking at your battery terminals and make sure they are not corroded and are making a good connection. Make sure you main positive and ground wire coming to the battery look alright.
Thank you for your video I’m watching multiple videos while I’m doing mines I’m stuck on the back bolt I can’t seem to get that off but I won’t give up
Thank you for the clean video😊😊😊😊 Any one changing alteraneter just loosen the nut loosen the both bolt take out the back one first then front one will be much easier you can torque both 😊😊😊😊😊😊
the 14 millimeter screw or bolt is smooth, it lost the stripes and the alternator is loose and when you start the car the belt comes off, which I recommend doing Thanks
Hey great video, i am waiting on my alternator from Amazon and i needed a refresher's course so im watching your video. Oh will this process work for a 06 odyssey?
jasonx409able, I only know for sure that it will work on 99-04, but I'm sure it's fairly similiar. I don't believe Honda changed much of the configuration in 05.
I struggled with the wiring harness from the alternator longer than I needed to. Mine had the clip toward the front of the van, so the easy solution was to use a short flathead screwdriver to depress the clip (while pinching the front and back sides) and a long flathead screwdriver to push against the lip on the edge on top. Slid out like butter. I was disappointed to see the new alternator didn't line up with the tensioner pulley exactly. I would suggest comparing the pulley position side-by-side with the old alternator before installing it. You may need to add washers behind the alternator pulley.
I got a question, when I got to put the alternator back for some reason the 2 bolts at the end don't go together well and space is off like a inch or so to put the other bolt in has this happened before jve tried everything??
1999-2001 odyssey’s are slightly different than my 2004. For a 2000, the pulley is held in place by one bolt in the middle of the pulley. It’s a reverse thread bolt so it’s clockwise to loosen and counterclockwise to tighten. When replacing the bolt, it should be torqued to 28ftlb. Hope this helps.
Hi, like your video. I have an alternator with a pulley that doesn't rotate freely. It's a little bit stiff. I have asked mechanics to keep my alternator and only change the pulley. They always want to change the whole alternator which is an expensive repair. Are they just choosing the lazy and pricer option? Thanks
Hugo Henderson, that's a great question. I believe the reason they want to change the alternator is because in order to replace the pulley, it's not much more additional labor to remove the alternator since the serpentine belt is already off, and most shops pull the pulley itself to pull the alternator. In their mind they see it as a plus for the customer to save on additional labor down the road, but they're also looking to increase profits at the same time. But if the alternator isn't bad, and it's only a couple years old, it's really up to you if you want to replace it. If it's more than 5 years old, it might be worth the extra cost to have it done (or do it yourself) while it's already apart. Those are my two cents.
DIY Jeff Oh that's interesting. My car is a W reg so it's likely the alternator hasn't been replaced in years or ever before. I got a new drive belt fitted as the old one was worn with holes and starting to fray. My mechanic suggested to replace the alternator as the pulley could not move freely. I asked him to only change the belt as it manages to run smoothly. There's only very slight resistance. I've had a look myself from starting up the car and can see it spinning. Later on down the line it will most likely need replacing but is still managing to go fairly strong at the moment. What's your opinion on this?
Hugo Henderson , what kind of car do you have? You do need to be careful about too much tension as it will cause the belt to wear out quicker and could cause too much tension on the alternator as well. As long as the tension isn’t too tight you might be okay.
DIY Jeff I have a Toyota Yaris 1999-2005 model. I'm going to see how I get on, I'm fairly confident it should last long as the car runs quietly unlike some videos I've seen! Where the pulleys are making loud noises.
hello i found your video to be really helpful but im having a real issue getting the belt back on the bottom pully even with pulling all the way back on the tensioner bolt. any suggestions
Jennifer Lawson , not sure, because when I pulled the tensioner all the way back, there was plenty of room to slide it on. Are you using a tensioner pulley tool?
Jennifer Lawson, as I mentioned in the video, a tensioner pulley tool. If you have an autozone near you they will rent you one for free. It provides more leverage and will rotate the puller more providing more slack.
Great video. The parts listing for the 1999-2001 Honda Odyssey alternator is different that for the 2002-2004 model. They appear to be identical. Does anyone know what the difference is. It looks like that they should be interchangeable. Any comments ?
ppett1, thank you for pointing out the part numbers are different. I've updated the description to include a link for the 1999-2001 years. I don't know the difference between the two, but I'd highly suggest getting the one specific to your year of vehicle.
Hi DIY Jeff :I love your video . My Odyssey 1999 , today it is suddenly the battery , the doors and seatbelt ' s lights on . I tried to drive home about 35 kms and the engine was dead . So it is wrong for alternator or battery ? Give me your idea , thank you .
Dzung ng, those symptoms could be either the battery or the alternator. I'd suggest having an auto parts store test your battery (most do it for free). If the battery is good then it is the alternator. If the battery is bad it could still be the alternator since a bad alternator can cause a battery to go bad if the battery was already weak. If it's the alternator, you can pick one up at your local auto parts store or I also have a link in the video description where you can find it online for a better deal.
I took my odyssey to a mechanic to fix the alternator (which they replaced) but now my power steering is really loud and I can feel it in the steering wheel everytime I turn. What can I do to fix that?
venanciocruz1974 , I’m honestly not sure. I haven’t worked on a newer odyssey. I would think if the alternator looks like it’s in the same location as my video it would be very close.
I found a video you might find helpful for a 2009 Odyssey alternator replacement. Not as clear as my presentation, but you should be able to get enough out of it to do the job. ua-cam.com/video/cIlXP3Ny1iI/v-deo.html
I noticed that you mentioned using a Duralast (Autozone) alternator because you were in a pinch. I have been in the same situation several times in the in the past with my vehicles and have had to buy a parts store brand remanufactured alternator. Duralast (Autozone) alts seem to be the worst ones for me at failing early. Carquest (Advance Auto Parts ) alts were better but none of them seem to last very long. (They entice you with "lifetime warranty" but they don't warranty the labor). If one can wait for shipment, the AC Delco Pro units you linked are better and also diy people and shops use the Denso Perfect Fit reman units (buy at Rock Auto w/coupon) which are similarly priced. FWIW, I have read that the TYC and other budget new aftermarket alternators from China don't last very long. Anyway, whatever alternator on chooses ,it is always a good idea to have the repalcement alternator tested on the machine at the auto parts store I have gotten bad ones right out of the box.
ppett1, Thanks for the info. That's good to know. I've always been happy with AC Delco parts too. I've had the alternator in my Odyssey now for about 9 months with no issues. Even though there may only be a warranty on the part and not labor, the good news is if you do it yourself then it wouldn't cost anything, but your time to replace it. But I agree, not ideal.
RAY T.H. Yuen , you can try to link to wrenches together, but there isn’t much clearance to get the wrench on the bolt. I’d suggest renting one for free from your local autozone or purchasing one from Amazon for about $30.
@Rodney Smith, unfortunately, I had to sell my Odyssey (RIP). The transmission went out at 259k miles. And I just couldn’t justify putting in a new one with that many miles on the engine. So I’m not sure how long the alternator would have lasted. I had about 50k miles on it when I sold the vehicle and never had an issue.
Hector Gonzalez, make sure that the longer bolt goes on the bottom. Honestly, I didn't have a hard time getting either bolt in. But if you struggling with the bottom one, try taking the top one out and then try the bottom. It might give you a little more play to line up the two holes.
@@DIYJeff heck yes it was awesome..I didn't have to use the serpentine belt remover instead just used a long 19 mm it was cake! Also Hondas seem easy to work on.. thanks again for the great vid.
Both bolts broke out of my alternator that hold it together are they the same bolt (size and length) and if by chance what are the size. I know they are metric
David Meeks, wow, I'm surprised that both of the bolts would have broken. They are pretty hefty bolts. First make sure that none of the bolts is broken off inside the mounting plate. As far as sizes go, I happen to have the service manual for the Odyssey so you're in luck. They are different sizes. One is a 10 x 1.25mm which gets torqued to 33 ft lbs. And the other is 8 x 1.25mm which gets torqued to 16 ft lbs. I'm not sure where you could find them, but I'm sure a junk yard may have them or a specialty online store. Of course the dealer could probably special order them if they don't have them in stock. Good Luck!
You have the best video on youtube regarding this.
Crazywaffle5150 , thanks for the kind words. If you have to replace an Odyssey alternator and have any questions, let me know.
DIY Jeff Anytime. :]. Lol. Actually I just fisnished getting it out 15 min ago. Did not even need even need the tool for getting the belt off. Just used the double wrench method. Lol with a 19mm and 18mm box end. Hardest part is pulling it threw the mess of hoses. Haha
Crazywaffle5150 , yep, I think I mentioned it in the video, but it took me awhile too. But the plus side is you don’t have to disconnect and connect them. Plus, discounting hoses like power steering can be a real problem and mess.
DIY Jeff True. Lol. I got around it. Thanks for posting this video again!. I'm up an running now
:D. 140 bucks later after buying a new Alt at Auto Zone.
...there is a dude that simply took a pry bar and leveraged the tension pulley in such a way that the timing belt can just slip right off the alternator.... SOO MUCH FASTER AND EASIER.
Wanted to let you know that I followed your video step by step and replaced the alternator on our 2003 Honda Odyssey successfully after it failed us on the freeway this week. I appreciate you and your knowledge and willingness to share it with all of us. You saved my family money and help me learn something new in maintaining our van. You’re the best.
@MrSleep-ju3pf, you’re welcome. I love hearing success stories like yours. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for your helpful video, Jeff. I replaced my Alternator in my 2001 Odyssey over the weekend. After watching your video, it appears to be easier to complete the alternator replacement on a 1999-2001 2nd Gen Odyssey, than with a 2002-2004 2nd Gen, since I was able employ my belt tensioner tool from the top side instead of from underneath. I still had to jack the car up and remove the plastic undercarriage skin to properly fit the belt back onto the pulleys. Your recommended tools for completing this job was a true life-saver. Thank you so much!
cgrscott , awesome! That’s great you were able to do the job. It’s fulfilling to do a job yourself and save $$$
Thanks for posting this video. I got stuck in ORD parking lot with a bad alternator around 7p.m. No one would fix it until next day. So, I hitched a ride to autozone to pick up an alternator and some tools. Watched you video and installed it in the parking lot within 2 hours.
Thanks, you're a hero.
SK, I'm glad you were able to get your alternator swapped out, especially considering the conditions you faced. Thanks for sharing your story!
GREAT video.
Changed my brother's 2000 Odyssey alternator.
Only thing we did differently was to remove the top bolt when reassembling in order to get the belt over the alternator, then use a wrench to remove the tension from the tensioner then swivel the alternator back into position to replace the top (or right side) bolt.
It was way, way easier, and we didn't have to get under the vehicle at all.
Thanks for a clear, concise video.
@Spencer Reed, thanks for the tip. Glad you were able to fast track the repair.
Followed everything step by step and had a successful replacement of the alternator in my odyssey. Couldn't have done this without you! And for all the people commentng on the whole power steering and brake resivouir part, i think we all knew what he meant.
Mr. Esquire, I'm glad the video was helpful for you. It's great to have a community on UA-cam that helps each other out.
*Anyone reading/doing this in 2021* I strongly suggest removing the tensioner in the 03-04. I just did mine, and messed around trying to get the 14mm bolt in for seriously like an hour. Went under and just took out the 17mm (i think that was the size) that held the tensioner in and was able to get that 14mm in immediately. I don't have a ratcheting wrench, I'm sure it would have helped if I did, but I still don't think it's worth it. Just remove the tensioner, IMO.
Great Video though! Much appreciated.
@M. K., thanks for sharing your tip with everyone!
I watched this video maybe more than 10 times, following the steps and did the work: man, I replaced the alternator!! Thank you for the instructions.
Leo Xu , I’m glad the video helped you out and you were able to change it out yourself. It’s a great feeling of accomplishment to DIY!
Love his approach! I did pretty much what he said and while it was a chore, I'm up and running. THE ONLY THING I'LL ADD is I suggest you remove the bolt holding the bracket that holds the upper alternator bolt and the wire harness. Getting the alternator in and out was easy after taking the bracket off. I'm with CrazyWaffle... this is the best video I saw.
@Joe Lutz, good tip and thanks for the kind words.
Thanks I just got this thing out and it defs adds alittle more room
Just did this repair tonight. Alternators have always felt "above my pay grade" because of the tensioner stuff, but your vid helped make it seem far less intimidating. So thanks for doing what you're doing! I was able to do this job successfully in about 2-1/2 to 3 hours. I'm sure now that I've done it once I'll be able to go much faster in the future!
@NorthWriter, that is awesome! The more DIY car repairs you do, the quicker an easier it gets.
The project is halfway completed.... am waiting for the alternator to install. So far the removal has been easy due to your guidance.
Did you have any trouble getting the new alternator installed? I'm having trouble getting the two main bolts in.
I wasn’t going to attempt this job until I saw your video. It wasn’t easy, but I got it done and saved a bunch of money. Thanks!
Prophesy to the Wind, you’re welcome. Glad you felt enough confidence to venture into the project. It’s satisfying to save money and do it yourself.
What is an estimated time to do this job?
@@karenwohlforth8967 the first time I did it (I had to do it again since my last comment) it took several hours, but that was because of a bolt that was put in backwards from a previous repair. The second time, probably less than 2 hours. It was much easier.
I love saving money
2:47. That's actually the power steering fluid reservoir. Very helpful video Jeff!
Also...... The pulley tensioner is accessible from the top by fabricating a simple wrench. Take a piece of 1" x 1/8" x 24" ish steel bar and a T50 bit (which I got by dissembling a cheap socket). Cut down the T50 bit to a length of 3/4", drill a hole in the end of the steel bar slightly to small for the hex end of the T50 to pass through, then press the bit into the hole with a vise. T50 was the size required to fit the bolt in the center of the pulley on the tensioner on my 2002
Hey Jeff, I never comment on videos like these (although I use them often) but your video was excellent and incredibly helpful. I got the alternator swapped out in 1.5 hours without much trouble at all. Saved me tons of time, probably some bloody knuckles, and some cash. Much thanks.
This is a great informative video, I just replaced my alternator on my 1999 Honda Odyssey EX and it went a little different than the steps in the video. I originally tried putting in a duralast alternator from autozone and it didn’t work properly. It was putting out erratic voltage and making the MIL lights on the dash flicker erratically including the battery light while other times the lights were solid (like when accelerating). I ended up putting in an OEM Denso alternator and it’s working great. A couple things that were different on the 1999 I used a serpentine belt tension tool I got from harbor freight and I was actually able to get on the tensioner nut with the long bar and the included 14 mm crows foot from the topside of the engine. I still had to jack up the car and remove the splash guards to get the belt back properly on the pulleys though. The tensioner nut is 14 mm on the ‘99. Lower alternator bolt is 14 mm and upper bolt is 12 mm as stated in the video. I used the half open half ratcheting box wrench for the 14 mm lower bolt with the ratcheting box end on it until I could get a 1/4 drive 14 mm ratchet and socket on it to finish tightening it. As others have said that’s the powering steering fluid reservoir not the brake fluid reservoir. I used some small vise grips with tags to clamp the hoses shut and a package of Dorman rubber caps to cap off the reservoir when removing it. Just make sure you refill your powering steering fluid after reconnecting the reservoir and burp out any air by turning your steering all the way back and forth a few times with the cap removed. Hope this helps.
Great video, Three tricks that will help it go even smoother.
1. Just remove the power steering reservoir completely it will free up a lot of room.
2. Put a jack under the oil pan and lift up about a quarter to half an inch this will free up a little bit of room.
3. Use your tensioner wrench and push the tensioner to the side this will create a lot of room for the alternator to slide out and the new one in.
Very professional, concise and easy to understand tutorial. No BS. Perfect!
@Jerry S, thank you for the comment. Much appreciated.
Im gonna use this info to try to make this repair on my 2004 honda odyssey, looks like the most efficient video i have ever seen in doing a repair at home. Im gonna check to see if my brother coukd help , i may not have the arm strength to do it on my own. 😂
Two suggestions to make a bit more room to remove the alternator: The right (14 m) bolt connects to a bracket. The bracket can be removed to provide additional space. You can also get a bit more room by keeping the tensioner pulley retracted. You can do this by rigging a piece of wood to keep the tensioner pulley tool in the retracted position.
James Immordino, thanks for sharing the tips. Good information.
Thanks for this info
gracias...!!!😊.. no ablo ingles pero el simple video me sirvio de guia para poder reparar mi honda odyssey 2003...me ahorre mucho dinero en mecanicos gracias a usted siga suviendo sus viedeos.. tankio..!
Traduje tu mensaje. Me alegra que haya sido útil para ti. Perdón por la barrera del idioma, pero la tecnología es una gran herramienta para que todas las nacionalidades puedan ayudarse mutuamente.
Hey Jeff, thank you so much for posting these video. It helped me a great deal. I replaced my alternator with no problems. Great tip on ratcheting wrench saved me so much time and frustrations. Great video and THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
Anthony A, you're welcome. I'm glad it helped you out.
Clear, concise accurate descriptions. Alternator out and in without a hitch! Thank you.
@Ian Stewart, awesome, glad you were able to get your alternator replaced!
Thanks for the vid! It helped a lot. I found it much easier to maneuver the alternator when I removed the upper mount bracket that the 12mm bolt goes into. Thanks again!
I enjoyed the video .... you explain the steps well and I appreciate the detail with respect to safety. I also appreciated the "patience" comments to warn the listener that some procedures are stubborn and requires a little time to wiggle and or/unsnap ..... I found the wiring harness to be difficult to remove.
Mr. Jazzohjazz, how did the project turn out? Yes, the wiring harness gave me a little issue too.
Jeff, thank you. Your audio instructions were great. The VIDEO visuals were fantastic. I am confident I can replace this today thanks to your video!
Scott, you're welcome. I'm confident you can do it. I do suggest the pulley tool though. Without it will be much more difficult to loosen the tension on the belt to remove it.
DIY Jeff I did get the tensioner pulley tool on loan from the local auto parts shop. Without it, I would not have been able to complete. I completed the job without any issues. The only part not covered in the video was the engine splash shield. That was a pain but once I had it off, all went smooth. Thank you!
great step by step video...iam about to replace my alternator ill try to be as calm as you are,i usually cuss or perhaps throw wrenches on my pistoff drywall spot.
Its shitty job- Honda made it too tight... but its doable.
You can loosen the belt with a pry bar instead to avoid jacking up the van
The hoses and reservoir you keep referring to as for brake fluid are actually Power Steering Fluid
Nice touch with demo and explanations. Appreciate your use of mics to narrate, absent ehco.
Thanks for the help. Took some splash guarding off to gain access to the tensioning pulley and a wrench fit right on. Took time and patients but it wiggled right out saved me a bunch of money.
Neil, in the future, if you live near an Autozone, they have a free tool rental available. That's where I got the tensioner pulley tool.
Awesome video that helped a bunch!! My '04 Pilot alternator squealed like a piglet and voltage varied from 10.5-11.8
It worked like a charm except that it was too tight a spot to get the 19mm socket onto the serpentine belt tensioner bolt, even with the tool I rented from oreilly's . Amazingly, a 3/4 open ended wrench worked like a charm. The serpentine belt tool seemed totally unnecessary. Thanks for this video!
I have to say, this video was a huge help. However, this job is the biggest pain in the ass to do! Engineers make Mechanic's lives much harder than they should be to say the least...
Great video - on my 2010 - I was able to access the tensioner from the top with a socket wrench and a length of pipe over the handle for leverage.
Tim, that's great! The tensioner pulley is accessible from the engine bay on Odyssey's newer than 2004. Good thinking on using a bar for leverage, saving you from renting or buying a tensioner pulley tool.
Excellent, and clear.
Thank you
your "brake fluid reservoir" is actually your power steering reservoir and that is a positive cable on the starter. otherwise decent vid.
False
Mechanic humor lol
Not starter wire, that's a charge positive wire for the battery
Thanks for this video bro. I'm about to get to working on my 2000 as soon as dawn breaks. 31f this morning in Ohio. Beats the snow last year when I had to replace my radiator.
Aldo Ray, how did it go? Did you get it replaced?
@@DIYJeff Yes I did. Thanks again.
Thanks buddy just did this ….. it comes out and goes in with the pulley up
This is By Far the best video I have seen !!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR !!!!!!
1painter 4hire , you’re welcome. Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you found it helpful.
Great video, Jeff. Thank you. FYI, you incorrectly referred to the power steering reservoir and hoses as being part of the braking system.
I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey with 342 thousand miles on it and I'm still on the original Honda alternator. Before I begin my summer road trips, I always have my mechanic test the alternator and if it checks out perfect, I feel like it's good to get me through the rest of the summer. Now, I'm at the place were I feel like I need to replace it before it fails, just as a form of insurance.
At 342,000 it wouldn't be a bad idea.
@@DIYJeff Thanks for posting the Amazon link to the Performance W84010 Serpentine Belt Tool.
cgrscott, you're welcome. I found it extremely helpful for loosening the tensioner pulley and it made the job so much simpler.
@@DIYJeff I saw the link you posted for the ACDelco 334-1319 Professional Alternator, Remanufactured for my 2001 Honda Odyssey. Would that part last at least 60k to 80k? The Honda Dealership parts counter is pricing $500 for just buying the Genuine Honda Replacement Alternator, not including paying the service center to install it. I'm gong to install the replacement alternator myself so, new aftermarket or rebuilt aftermarket is the only avenue I can afford.
cgrscott, I've always been pleased with AC Delco parts. There is of course no guarantee, other than the limited warranty, but I would feel confident in putting it in my vehicle and expect at least 100k+.
Thank you bro. You saved me $100 dollars. And thanks again for this great content.
jonathann armenta, glad you found the video helpful.
Thanks, great video. I have a 2003, and was able to get to the tensioner pulley bolt from the top.
@paul nenninger, that's awesome you were able to get the tensioner pulley from the top. I just wasn't able to reach it on mine.
Thanks for this video! I was able to replace my altonator without too much trouble!
@Gio Rndn, I'm glad the video was helpful for you!
also i ended up using a 19mm wrench to turn the tensioner pulley to release the serpentine belt on the bottom of my vehicle and it worked great for me.
@RAY ALLEN, that's a great tip for everyone. Thanks for sharing.
🤙🤙shakkas, nice detail on manuvers, sweat info. One thing though that's the power steering fluid reservoir, not brake Todo Bien
Hey all -- just a tip, Jeff says you cannot reach the tensioner nut from above, this is incorrect. using the serpentine belt tool and a small 19mm allows enough room to turn the tool *sideways* from the rear of the engine cavity, & slip in the crack, then pull back up like you were approaching from the bottom. You'll have enough leverage on the bolt to loosen to complete this job w/o ever getting under the van. Gool luck all!!
Hey Sir,
I'm about to do mine in the morning, I bought the tensioner wrench kit, So I can do it from top ?
Farttity, good work around. I've never done it that way, but if it works then good deal!
Great video, thank you. I do have a question. My 2004 Honda Odyssey has 261,000 miles, with the original tensioner pulley and alternator. A pro shop tested the alternator and it is still functioning perfectly. But i plan for the alternator shop to take it apart and rejuvenate it. Wouldn't it make sense, with 261000 miles, to also replace the tensioner pulley, making the alternator easier to remove and re-install?
@Tells The Truth, at 261,000 miles, if the tensioner pulley is original, I'd suggest replacing it while you're in there. It would be a good preventative maintenance since at that point its just pulling out a bolt and putting a new one in. It only takes about 5 minutes to replace it since the belt will already be off.
Nice work, the video is clear and straight forward. Thank you!
@Omarfa1, thanks for the comment. Glad it was helpful for you.
THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME MONEY BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THANKS AGAIN.
@Sonofgod Jesuschrist, you're welcome. That's what my channel is all about. Saving money and DIYing it.
Replaced alternator 6 months ago. Now when I hit a bump, all door lights go on and battery light too. Had it tested and its fine. Any ideas?
@Joseph Carlos, if you hit a bump and lights go on, including battery light, I'd suggest you have a short somewhere. I'd start by looking at your battery terminals and make sure they are not corroded and are making a good connection. Make sure you main positive and ground wire coming to the battery look alright.
im not great with cars but this video was cool i thnk it made it sort of digestible
Lol, Brake fluid and grounding bolt. Nice video, just wanted to see tips/tricks. Very helpful, no BS.
Thanks, Jeff, big help. Well done video.
@cineMaverick, you're welcome!
Great video. Thank you so much for doing this. It really helped us change our alternator 01 Honda Odyssey.
Marilyn Sanchez, I'm glad the video was able to help you.
Pretty good video. Other than mistaking the power steering fluid reservoir as brake fluid. I was wondering if anyone else caught this mistake.
@DALE SOLLARS, several people have pointed out the same mistake.
Thank you so much very good video save me a lot of money and frustration God bless
@Joe Rutkowski, you're welcome.
Thank you for your video I’m watching multiple videos while I’m doing mines I’m stuck on the back bolt I can’t seem to get that off but I won’t give up
Sometimes it just takes patience and perseverance. I hope you were able to get the job finished.
Thank you very much... You save a lot of money and Time.. I just replaced mine.. Thank you
Glad the video was helpful for you!
Geoff is awesome. helped a lot
Thank you for the clean video😊😊😊😊 Any one changing alteraneter just loosen the nut loosen the both bolt take out the back one first then front one will be much easier you can torque both 😊😊😊😊😊😊
Just did this on my wife's 09. It was a pain but I didn't have to remove anything but the plastic covers. Those a/c lines though FML
It's certainly not an easy job as you learned, but it's certainly doable. Just takes some patience.
the 14 millimeter screw or bolt is smooth, it lost the stripes and the alternator is loose and when you start the car the belt comes off, which I recommend doing
Thanks
Hey great video, i am waiting on my alternator from Amazon and i needed a refresher's course so im watching your video. Oh will this process work for a 06 odyssey?
jasonx409able, I only know for sure that it will work on 99-04, but I'm sure it's fairly similiar. I don't believe Honda changed much of the configuration in 05.
Thanks for your video and explanation, blessings.🤗
You're welcome.
I struggled with the wiring harness from the alternator longer than I needed to. Mine had the clip toward the front of the van, so the easy solution was to use a short flathead screwdriver to depress the clip (while pinching the front and back sides) and a long flathead screwdriver to push against the lip on the edge on top. Slid out like butter. I was disappointed to see the new alternator didn't line up with the tensioner pulley exactly. I would suggest comparing the pulley position side-by-side with the old alternator before installing it. You may need to add washers behind the alternator pulley.
Thank you so much your video is very explanatory!!
noe limas , you’re welcome, glad it was easy to understand.
Excellent presentation. Keep on doing a good work.
I got a question, when I got to put the alternator back for some reason the 2 bolts at the end don't go together well and space is off like a inch or so to put the other bolt in has this happened before jve tried everything??
I did mine in June and of course living in Massachusetts something else is bound to happen and of course it was the power steering Metal hose
Trey Ayala , sorry to hear that.
Hey Jeff really enjoyed the video and have a quick question where did you buy a reliable alternator from?
Oogii Ochir , I didn’t have a choice. I limped the odyssey into an Autozone and had to have it towed home from there. So I bought mine at Autozone.
@@robertbacu354, I've had my autozone alternator in now for a year and it's working great. Must be a hit and miss thing.
Question for a 2000 Honda odyssey how would I access the tension pulley bolt? Where is it located?
1999-2001 odyssey’s are slightly different than my 2004. For a 2000, the pulley is held in place by one bolt in the middle of the pulley. It’s a reverse thread bolt so it’s clockwise to loosen and counterclockwise to tighten. When replacing the bolt, it should be torqued to 28ftlb. Hope this helps.
The best video, i like the trick w the serpentine belt tool
Nestor Ceberos, thanks! The tool is just about a must on this project.
@@DIYJeff just did it, it took me 3 hours, but did it myself,thanks
Thank you for the video.
Excellent Video, great job. Thanks Mike.
Michael Nelson, thanks for the comment. I really appreciate it!
Very well explained except the power steering reservoir is being told Brake reservoir every time.
Gurpartap Singh, thanks for the comment. Others have made the same comment. That was my mistake.
Thanks for sharing, it was a great help. God bless and stay well.
Thanks, you too!
Hi, like your video. I have an alternator with a pulley that doesn't rotate freely. It's a little bit stiff. I have asked mechanics to keep my alternator and only change the pulley. They always want to change the whole alternator which is an expensive repair. Are they just choosing the lazy and pricer option? Thanks
Hugo Henderson, that's a great question. I believe the reason they want to change the alternator is because in order to replace the pulley, it's not much more additional labor to remove the alternator since the serpentine belt is already off, and most shops pull the pulley itself to pull the alternator. In their mind they see it as a plus for the customer to save on additional labor down the road, but they're also looking to increase profits at the same time. But if the alternator isn't bad, and it's only a couple years old, it's really up to you if you want to replace it. If it's more than 5 years old, it might be worth the extra cost to have it done (or do it yourself) while it's already apart. Those are my two cents.
DIY Jeff Oh that's interesting. My car is a W reg so it's likely the alternator hasn't been replaced in years or ever before. I got a new drive belt fitted as the old one was worn with holes and starting to fray. My mechanic suggested to replace the alternator as the pulley could not move freely. I asked him to only change the belt as it manages to run smoothly. There's only very slight resistance. I've had a look myself from starting up the car and can see it spinning. Later on down the line it will most likely need replacing but is still managing to go fairly strong at the moment. What's your opinion on this?
Hugo Henderson , what kind of car do you have? You do need to be careful about too much tension as it will cause the belt to wear out quicker and could cause too much tension on the alternator as well. As long as the tension isn’t too tight you might be okay.
DIY Jeff I have a Toyota Yaris 1999-2005 model. I'm going to see how I get on, I'm fairly confident it should last long as the car runs quietly unlike some videos I've seen! Where the pulleys are making loud noises.
hello i found your video to be really helpful but im having a real issue getting the belt back on the bottom pully even with pulling all the way back on the tensioner bolt. any suggestions
Jennifer Lawson , not sure, because when I pulled the tensioner all the way back, there was plenty of room to slide it on. Are you using a tensioner pulley tool?
@@DIYJeff which bar did you use I'm not getting as much slack
Jennifer Lawson, as I mentioned in the video, a tensioner pulley tool. If you have an autozone near you they will rent you one for free. It provides more leverage and will rotate the puller more providing more slack.
I had a little rubber piece drop off...it looks like a little barbell about the size of half your pinky finger. Any ideas what that goes to??
@Tennessee Tracer, I’m sorry, not sure what that piece goes to.
I figured it out.
Great video. The parts listing for the 1999-2001 Honda Odyssey alternator is different that for the 2002-2004 model. They appear to be identical. Does anyone know what the difference is. It looks like that they should be interchangeable. Any comments ?
ppett1, thank you for pointing out the part numbers are different. I've updated the description to include a link for the 1999-2001 years. I don't know the difference between the two, but I'd highly suggest getting the one specific to your year of vehicle.
Hi DIY Jeff :I love your video . My Odyssey 1999 , today it is suddenly the battery , the doors and seatbelt ' s lights on . I tried to drive home about 35 kms and the engine was dead . So it is wrong for alternator or battery ? Give me your idea , thank you .
Dzung ng, those symptoms could be either the battery or the alternator. I'd suggest having an auto parts store test your battery (most do it for free). If the battery is good then it is the alternator. If the battery is bad it could still be the alternator since a bad alternator can cause a battery to go bad if the battery was already weak. If it's the alternator, you can pick one up at your local auto parts store or I also have a link in the video description where you can find it online for a better deal.
@@DIYJeff : the problem is alternator . I replaced a new one and every thing is ok .Thanks Jeff
If I did those exact steps and the pulley comes down on release but does not put tension on the belt, do I have to buy another pulley?
@Don Jones, definitely sounds like your pulley is bad.
Thank you Jeff
@Jon Linkous, you're welcome!
Great walk through! Thanks a ton!
@Dennis Hvass, your welcome!
I took my odyssey to a mechanic to fix the alternator (which they replaced) but now my power steering is really loud and I can feel it in the steering wheel everytime I turn. What can I do to fix that?
You should first check your power steering fluid. If your fluid level is full then it sounds like a power steering pump replacement is in your future.
Excellent tutorial thank you
Thank you. Big help. Eliminated guess work.
Kim, glad you found it useful.
Hi Jeff, question, Will this video help me for a 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring? Thank You
venanciocruz1974 , I’m honestly not sure. I haven’t worked on a newer odyssey. I would think if the alternator looks like it’s in the same location as my video it would be very close.
I found a video you might find helpful for a 2009 Odyssey alternator replacement. Not as clear as my presentation, but you should be able to get enough out of it to do the job. ua-cam.com/video/cIlXP3Ny1iI/v-deo.html
Great video thank you
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. It was very helpful.
I noticed that you mentioned using a Duralast (Autozone) alternator because you were in a pinch. I have been in the same situation several times in the in the past with my vehicles and have had to buy a parts store brand remanufactured alternator. Duralast (Autozone) alts seem to be the worst ones for me at failing early. Carquest (Advance Auto Parts ) alts were better but none of them seem to last very long. (They entice you with "lifetime warranty" but they don't warranty the labor). If one can wait for shipment, the AC Delco Pro units you linked are better and also diy people and shops use the Denso Perfect Fit reman units (buy at Rock Auto w/coupon) which are similarly priced. FWIW, I have read that the TYC and other budget new aftermarket alternators from China don't last very long. Anyway, whatever alternator on chooses ,it is always a good idea to have the repalcement alternator tested on the machine at the auto parts store I have gotten bad ones right out of the box.
ppett1, Thanks for the info. That's good to know. I've always been happy with AC Delco parts too. I've had the alternator in my Odyssey now for about 9 months with no issues. Even though there may only be a warranty on the part and not labor, the good news is if you do it yourself then it wouldn't cost anything, but your time to replace it. But I agree, not ideal.
What if I don't have the serp. belt pulley tool? What can i use instead ??
RAY T.H. Yuen , you can try to link to wrenches together, but there isn’t much clearance to get the wrench on the bolt. I’d suggest renting one for free from your local autozone or purchasing one from Amazon for about $30.
Great video.. thank you..
@Rick Harrison, you're welcome.
I enjoy all your videos. Got a question for ya. How many miles did you get out of your alternator? I have an 04 also 🤓 Thanks again for the video 👍
@Rodney Smith, unfortunately, I had to sell my Odyssey (RIP). The transmission went out at 259k miles. And I just couldn’t justify putting in a new one with that many miles on the engine. So I’m not sure how long the alternator would have lasted. I had about 50k miles on it when I sold the vehicle and never had an issue.
Lower alternator bolt is a pain in the ass to putback on...any suggestions?
Hector Gonzalez, make sure that the longer bolt goes on the bottom. Honestly, I didn't have a hard time getting either bolt in. But if you struggling with the bottom one, try taking the top one out and then try the bottom. It might give you a little more play to line up the two holes.
Thank you..excellent breakdown!
Basketball Ave, you're welcome. I'm glad you found the video helpful.
@@DIYJeff heck yes it was awesome..I didn't have to use the serpentine belt remover instead just used a long 19 mm it was cake! Also Hondas seem easy to work on.. thanks again for the great vid.
Thanks for your help 👍🏾
You’re welcome, I’m glad it was helpful.
best explanations. Thank a lots
Solution Thermo, you’re welcome
Both bolts broke out of my alternator that hold it together are they the same bolt (size and length) and if by chance what are the size. I know they are metric
David Meeks, wow, I'm surprised that both of the bolts would have broken. They are pretty hefty bolts. First make sure that none of the bolts is broken off inside the mounting plate. As far as sizes go, I happen to have the service manual for the Odyssey so you're in luck. They are different sizes. One is a 10 x 1.25mm which gets torqued to 33 ft lbs. And the other is 8 x 1.25mm which gets torqued to 16 ft lbs. I'm not sure where you could find them, but I'm sure a junk yard may have them or a specialty online store. Of course the dealer could probably special order them if they don't have them in stock. Good Luck!