06-15 GM 3.6L Acadia, Traverse, Enclave, Outlook Alternator Replacement Overview

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Quick Overview on how to replace the alternator on this 2010 GMC Acadia 3.6L. This should be the same for 2006-2015 Chevy Traverse, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave. Please correct me if I'm wrong or there are any differences. `
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[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

On Amazon: *ALTERNATOR: amzn.to/38f7qJ2 *M12 RATCHET: amzn.to/38iVMwz *FLUKE MULTIMETER: amzn.to/3p6VqA8 *RETAINER CLIP TOOL: amzn.to/34rvhEh

[@tylrsmoot]

Shouldve added the tools sizes in the discription

[@jaymartin9468]

@@tylrsmoot what I heard was 10mm 15mm and 7mm quarter drive for pulley tension.

[@pamelabrown4019]

My light came on "service battery charging system". The dealer quoted $1395. I paid $212 for the alternator $27 for a belt. Watched your video saved $1158 Thank you soooooo much.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Awesome to hear the video helped you out! And no problem

[@michaele1975]

Should put up something for donations brother. You get some dollars from me.

[@GoldenChiild615]

I got quoted for $2600 -_-and only paid $220 just for doing it myself

[@timdco]

Just did mine, remove the front portion of the inner fender liner completely and there is plenty of room to take the alternator out and back in through the side. I didn't have to pull it up past the radiator. Its only a few minutes to remove the liner completely. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Awesome, I'll have to give that method a go next time

[@BubbaGerald]

You are able to do everything from the wheel well?

[@timdco]

@@BubbaGerald for the most part yes, the main thing is getting it in and out there is plenty of room

[@tedczalbowski6262]

Did you remove the 2 studs since you pulled it out from the wheel well ? Thanks

[@timdco]

@@tedczalbowski6262 It's been a while ago but I think we did

[@LeeAbston]

Thanks for the video, it took me about 5 hours to complete the job mostly because of small mistakes. I'm putting my mistakes down so someone else doesn't repeat them. 1.) When loosening the pulley I tried to use a socket and got the socket wrench stuck between the frame and the alternator pulley. Took several min but I was able to put a small screwdriver and reverse the socket. USE A WRENCH :-). 2.) The breaker bar got stuck in the tension pulley (insert beating head emoji). Eventually, I was able to use a crowbar and pry between the pulley and the breaker bar. 3.) After putting everything back together the Alternator pulley slipped off which mean I had to take the alternator nuts back off to put the pulley back on. These were small issues that caused me a great deal of time. On another note, the locking plyers and a second set of hands made putting the studs back in much easier. Thanks for a great video.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Great to hear you were able to knock it out and thanks so much for adding information for others in the future

[@andrewthompson8054]

Thanks guys! I ended up going through the wheel well. Worked well for me. Just put one in at the old Pizza Hut parking lot lol. Took me about two hours. I don’t care for this car…but at least it’s working again haha.

[@alexhernan1545]

Your the real one for these kind of videos. Makes average joes like myself have a bit of confidence working in the car with a guide such as yourself. Thank you good sir

[@ripone5152]

I did this same job on an 07 GMC Acadia in a state park parking lot where we we're hiking for the weekend. Wasn't what we planned to do but saved a bunch of money on a tow bill and repair bill. Fortunately I had a socket set in the vehicle. It definitely can be done without taking all of the fuse block out and risking the chance of messing up one of the wire connections in the process.

[@Bond-James-Bond-]

On the ground? How long did it take?

[@nicholaskoenig3106]

Good work bruh! #handybastard

[@dandowodzenka8864]

Late to the party finding this video, but it is by far my NEW favorite gem to do this job now. Mine is on a 2012 Traverse, but should all be the same layout except for a larger inner fender liner. Thanks a heap man!!

[@Punkpsychobilly]

Quick tip on this one: if you take the inner fender liner out of the right front wheel well, you can remove the bracket behind it (held in with 2 10 mm bolts). The alternator EASILY slides out of the access hole, and you can see a whole lot better for lining the belt back up if you do this. An extra 5 mins will save you an hour and a lot of frustration trying to take the alt out the top.

[@michaele1975]

This video was incredibly helpful. I pulled mine out from the wheel well. First time so i wanted better visibility and pulled the plastic from the inner well. There’s an alternator size hoke perfect for removing this. With the stud bolts, its cake.

[@ajhill5094]

Thanks for the video!!! After watching, I changed mine on my 2020 enclave in an hour! Waaaay easier than I expected. Worst part was getting the serpentone belt back on. I removed the airborne to make it easier, def worth the extra few minutes.

[@christophergreen2328]

Just finished mine a few hours ago. This video made it pretty easy on disassembling, for future reference the oil fill tube comes out making more room and if you screw the driver side upper bolt back in you can wiggle the alt. back on instead of fight trying to hold it up to start the bolt there if you don't have help

[@mjb12141963]

Taking out through the wheel well by taking out the fender liner was how I did it. Being that I am getting older and not as strong as I used to be, I ran a string through one of the bolt holes and wrapped the string around my hand. This gave me a little more leverage to lift it up and through the side. I did a water pump on my last traverse that was totaled by hitting a deer. Made this a whole lot easier to work in this space. The cable to the alternator was burned up, so I had to replace it which requires removing the starter. 😫

[@timklein8409]

Thanks for the Great video! I was able to shoe horn it out, and let gravity help get it back in place! Before I tried to put the new alternator in place, I threaded the studs into position and then slid the alternator over the studs. Pro tip; make sure the bolt for the pulley is started and securely in place before you tighten the nuts down on the studs to secure the alternator. Thank you again for a great video!

[@ericlandis447]

Definitely tight getting it out the top but it can be done. Very helpful video! Make sure you get the bottom bolt started before tightening up the top two nuts. It you don't have a 7mm torque bit then use a 12 point 1/4in socket.

[@cliffdog40]

Pretty straightforward but it was still a real pain in the ass☹️. But I learned some things to make it a bit easier for you! First, 15mm ratcheting box end will make life easier. Unfortunately you're on your own pulling that thing out - THAT was really the biggest pain. Here's the best part: once you drop the new one in go ahead and install the one stud closest to driver side. Then you can wiggle the alternator on. The second stud is a breeze after that! It took me over an hour of trying to start the stud through the alternator and dropping f-bombs at the top of my lungs - it really seemed impossible - until I figured I'd try installing a stud first then voila! This info will be sure to save you from cussing up a storm on your driveway. Good luck!

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Yeah definitely a pain to get that first stud started! One guy mentioned using vice grips clamped to the alternator. That sounds like a great option

[@timtrollinger3165]

I should have read your advice to install the drivers side stud first then slip the alternator on over it. Makes since and almost impossible the other way

[@danl981]

I pulled my alternator out of the opening in the wheel well instead of pulling it thru the top much easier. Also once I had the new alternator in place, I installed the studs and then rolled the alternator onto the studs. Super easy.

[@lambeauxsworldentertainmen20]

Why you didn’t make a video and put it on KZbin?

[@Collum24]

Thanks for the video! And @timdco taking it out through the wheel well worked for me as well. I did have to zip tie an A/C hose out of the way to squeeze the alternator out and back in. Also there is a little bar with 2 10 mm bolts in the way of the opening you have to remove. It was a tight fit getting it through the hoses but is doable. Also when reinstalling I got the alternator back in position, then laid it to the side and reinstalled the upper stud closest to the wheel well first, then slid the alternator onto it. That was way easier than trying to hold the alternator up while running the stud through it to screw it in. You have enough room to slide the alternator onto that one after you screw it in. Then it will be in position to install the other upper stud and to tighten lower bolt with pulley.

[@LM77va]

5:02 Before putting those studs back on, I found it much easier to mount the bottom bolt back on first. (The one with the pulley) Afterwards the top bolts went in easily. (2013 Traverse)

[@Rocksinhed]

YOU ARE AWESOME ... THANK YOU ... Great instruction. I used a wire on the stud hole closer to the pulley to support the weight and put in the inboard stud, then put the pully bolt in loose, then put in the other stud . Now the belt was FUN ..... Thanks again

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Awesome to hear It was helpful to you! And no problem

[@dominicreynolds8238]

Thanks this saved me a lot of time. I found you only have to remove the stud on the right. Makes it easier to put back in

[@brittanygeorge9122]

Super helpful video! We were able to get ours done with this technique in under an hour!

[@killertomatoes73]

Just saved me a headache, I was puzzled trying to get that fuse box out. I’ll take the pain of finessing it up by the radiator over messing with the fusebox any day haha

[@johnnyhoward7337]

I just changed mine and was wondering how everyone else did it but instead of pulling mine up through the top I was able to go over the sub frame and drop it bad the turn sign light took the two t15 star bolts did the job in an hour. Nice to see how you did it great work

[@timtrollinger3165]

Changed mine this weekend. Pretty aggrievating and getting the bolts started was not an easy task. I had to remove the tire and wheel whelk cover. That made it easier to pull it out from inside the wheel well. Also had to have some help holding the alternator in place while starting the studs. Had them hold it through the wheel well as well. Be very careful when removing it the pulley on the side will just fall out of not careful. I almost put the new one on without the spacer on the pulley. Fortunately I noticed it laying in the floor. Before I got the bolts started. I won’t change another one but had to this time due to a time crunch

[@blstrge1]

Thanks for this video, it really helped. And yes, getting the threads back in is pretty tough. I have the pully threaded but I'm having so much trouble getting those two threads put back in.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Glad it helped out! Thanks!

[@IntegrityAutomotiveEnterprise]

Good job, all the crab about removing the mount, I have done the same with a 2013 Buick Enclave, a one hour job. The Enclave has the power steering reservoir on top, once you remove the hose and set it a side, ball game, wide open.

[@LaTrawnWilson]

Just went step by step listening to you an had no problem doing my 2009 traverse LTZ Thank you

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

No problem! Glad you found it helpful

[@user-pk2kc2kg4k]

Thank you for the video! I just did mine today and used your video as my template! SO much easier than taking everything out!

[@qx4n9e1xp]

Me and my dad just did it on the 3.0L Equinox. Thank you so much!

[@zamirrez]

Thanks for showing how much you struggled to get it out. I'm going to run into that and if I wouldn't have seen that I would have been so confused "how the hell did he get it out so fast"

[@JasonLiagre]

I was able to screw in the left bolt before installing the new alternator. Then I was able to hang the alter stor on that while screwing in the other side. Tha KS for the video, ida been taking that dang fuse box and mount out again 🤣

[@chrisdaquin5600]

This video was fantastic for swapping the alternator on my 2014 Buick Enclave!

[@rodricklentz2823]

Clamping a Vise Grip on one of the lobes that the stud bolts go through makes it much easier to get the alternator out and in.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Great idea!

[@elliotthares5245]

I put a stud back in and used it as a handle

[@birddogsforever9135]

You should have a tip jar... this was great!

[@alvinmorsejr.2576]

That's what I'm taking about, a very simple video. Thank you

[@BerriesYes]

Hi I watched your whole video and at the end you said it was charging all the way up to 18volts… mines is up to 15…how long can I go at 15 ?? 2017 traverse

[@tonyvalenzuela166]

Thank you dude ur the man just did mines ur video is really helpful and you just saved me a couple of 100 bucks

[@explorewithmarquise]

Darn right dude! This other video i watched said u had to let all your coolant out and etc 🤣🤣 I knew it was bs from that point

[@davideggenberger8090]

Which fuses/relays need to check before and after? Prolly get the battery tested?

[@artistical72]

Replaced the alt and batt on mine but now I am having problems. I think its not grounded somewhere because the inside lights on the dash keep flashing on and off. it still runs. The amp is showing at 18ish and it is still saying the charging system not working. grrrr I am not a mechanic but thought I would give it a try lol It has to be a ground somewhere I think? Maybe the studs and bolts are not in far enough? any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@joshbouck853]

I am having the same issue

[@texbrew64]

Thank you for this video. After watching it and another similar video, I decided to take the Traverse to my mechanic. I hate admitting that. I am subscribing to your channel, and I already hit the Like Button. God Bless you.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Can't blame ya for taking it to a mechanic. Thank you very much and God Bless!

[@nike1rosa]

How much did the mechanic charge you for the alternator install ?

[@texbrew64]

@@nike1rosa Hello, Roberto, it's been about 9 months since I took the Traverse to my mechanic, but I think the alternator was about $200 and with labor it was about $400 or $500, best guess.

[@nike1rosa]

@@texbrew64 thanks for the reply, quick update I ended up replacing the alternator on my 2013 traverse, took me 3 hours from 8:00am- 11:00am. It was pretty simple except for the part where I had to keep turning the old alternator over and over to get it out of the engine bay

[@texbrew64]

@@nike1rosa I'm glad to hear you were able to accomplish the alternator repair on your Traverse, and I hope it performs well for you.

[@jessesalcido2562]

Hahaha dads car put me thru the same mess. But score free dinner and cold budweiser afterwards. Thanks 😊 for sharing

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Nothing like dinner and a beer after a job!

[@danielsuarez5415]

Bro, thank you! So clear and concise, very specific with sizes ans everything, just straight to the point

[@aaronthomas7290]

Good video and the studs going back in were real fun🤣🤣🤣

[@appelsinnadurai]

Best info. No wasted words.

[@RickyPruitt-y7d]

Finally!! A video that makes sense!!

[@loribrown5235]

Cool! You make it look easy!

[@GoldenChiild615]

So a 7mm socket will be able to take the bolts out

[@UIC-Fitness92]

So to release the tension on the serpentine belt, it’s a 1/2 inch socket wrench? Is this the same with a 2013 GMC Acadia Denali

[@andrewfranklin3070]

How long did this take you guys to complete?

[@eotsis1]

at 3:22 those '7mm' studs are actually T40 star studs on my 2015 traverse. Don't have one of those but a 1/4" socket worked

[@Aztshirts]

I used a belt to wrap around the alternator and hold up while I threaded the studs in. It made it way easier to hold in position.

[@MrMechanicandy]

Our smoked the wire some where , owner put in cheap Amazon alternator now I have to find out where it shorted . Cause with alt disconnected the jump box on car lights on dash come on but no crank?

[@MrMyname18]

Good video! Man that looks like a pain. I thought about changing mine (14' traverse) just Over 100k but I might just wait til I have to. Hate the battery placement too.

[@cgboyFclip]

I’m going in, let’s hope for my sake it goes smoothly

[@tsfyootwiin]

*You got me paid my brother, thank you!* 👌🏾👌🏾

[@rigo9746]

Just did this to my 2011 Acadia just like the video. You gotta fanagle that damn thing out of there but good save. Thanks .

[@PrincernPrince]

It's called a generator in the shop manual, there is a difference right? One is direct current and one is alternating current

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Yes generally a generator produces DC. But I'm pretty sure this is just a regular alternator with a regulator rectifier in it. I could be wrong though

[@cgboyFclip]

Great video, I’m gonna try swapping out mine. Wonder how long it’s gonna take

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Thanks. And it depends if you have all the proper tools at hand. Not bad of a job that's for sure

[@ronaldoswald1942]

I did the timing chains with the engine in the vehicle on my friends Traverse while the recommended way is to drop the whole subframe engine and trans out.

[@timmiller9146]

Excellent overview. Thank you!

[@CornerStone30]

I have to replace mine 😩. Guess I’m going digging

[@mojorisen74]

Honestly, taking out the fuse box and motor mount is way easier and it's not hard to do. You don't have to support the motor to take the mount out and it's only about 6 bolts to take the fuse box off. It only takes 15 minutes to take that stuff out and that entire area is open, no fighting to get the alternator out. Just slips out and slip the new one in.

[@jessen6564]

Best video on this job

[@epicadventures2125]

Anybody able to give advice I did the whole swap and now that I reconnected the battery I have no power what so ever. Fuses look good from what I could see and I’m showing 13 volts at the fuse box but it’s acting as if no battery is connected . I have no dome light nothing. Can’t even remove the key at the moment

[@williegillie5712]

Looks like the way I’m gonna attack the problem. Shouldn’t take near as long as the manual says. Any good mechanic is gonna look for the easiest was to get it out of there.. Thanks for the help. I may record doing mine too. I’m sure we aren’t the only ones having to deal with this issue

[@davemerc5852]

I did mine Sunday night I caught autozone before they closed. Took the right front rim off and the side wall off, everything was there it was a bit hard to take out the alternator but it all worked out. T

[@edy5082]

Remove the oil dipstick I broken mine while removing the alternator, other than that it all worked out with this method

[@davidbutler394]

Best video out great job awesome mechanic thanks

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Thanks man

[@LaTrawnWilson]

Really helped me out thank you 💯

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Sweet! And no problem

[@dignopadron372]

Thanks for the video.

[@mastrcheifn9282]

id love to see a tools list

[@nicholaskoenig3106]

Great video thx bruh!! Im gonna do my ex-wife's 2018 this week (looks pretty close to this one)...cept the battery and terminal is on the other side. Wish me LUCK! #luckisfortheillprepared

[@VicMprado]

Great video short and informative 👍

[@brucewallace6511]

What's the green plug left of the oil filter?

[@mikechristensen1285]

Put the oil fill cap back on after you remove the cover! Bad practice!

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Yes sir

[@harwinderathwal6953]

Thanks, good and help full

[@cornell833]

Amazing content

[@josephistall]

Just did this followed all steps except I left the left side stud on and was able to get alternator out

[@davidartrip6732]

Just did mine. I realized that after fooling around with trying to hold the alternator and thread the rod / stud in. Very difficult. I just put the driver's side one back in and with a little work it will slide back on. If anyone is going to do this project do it this way for sure.

[@timschuchard9626]

thanks helped!!!

[@victoraubrey9062]

Ya...I noticed you didn't show the 45min. It took you and your buddy to wiggle it,twist it cussing the whole time trying to get that bottom bolt to thread up....I'm a mechanic too.... Don't try to bullshit me, I was successful with the first one that I did but the second one which is the Saturn Outlook same exact setup same exact alternator I walked away from $200 because of that last bolt trying to get back in the bottom of that piece of shit so I see why you didn't show finishing up with that bottom bolt😂

[@shawngates138]

Thanks for video

[@seamusmccauley9034]

Thank you

[@gene-garrettsears1991]

Thank You Sir!!!!!!!

[@mayken6661]

Remove liner, remove right through the square-ish area to the right side. No need to remove fuse box, coolant hose,etc

[@Jonathan-bc5nu]

Dude put the oil cap back on seriously all that stuff looked like stuff was going down in the oil tube

[@yigao1651]

hi thanks lot, you are the best,

[@aldochavez6026]

Good

[@clarencewiles963]

Thumbs up 👍

[@Hawaiinotastate]

Those studs are a s.o.b going back in 😂 but definitely help to get it out

[@marshallborder9089]

I do my own mechanic work , but not anymore after watching this on my Acadia . What a pain ......

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

That's great that you do your own work! It's not bad in terms of "hard" alternator jobs. Definitely not Mustang 5.0L easy. But not bad.

[@cliffdog40]

@@NoNonsenseKnowHow OMG that is EXACTLY what I was thinking! I had 4 5.0s in the 80's and it wouldn't even be 20 mins to swap out the alternator! The good old days...🙂

[@jonathonatkinson8138]

Be better if he would have put the oil fill cap back on to keep crap from dropping into the engine.....

[@Marcus530Baby]

Man I watched it totally different video and they were talking about you have to drained radiator remove the upper hose remove the tire remove the inner splash guard remove so much stuff.

[@modestvibes5325]

I can't get my studs back in

[@mattsivert2594]

2 things I would do new belt new water pump while you're in there

[@csears89]

firestone would be big mad if they found out you were doing this

[@fbowie21]

I would have put the oil cap back on all that crap went down in the engine you can see it in one shot yikes

[@marcosarboleda6081]

Good a clear

[@carnelld.i.ytobegreat6954]

Omg wtf is wrong with gmc putting the alternator right ther