2008 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 Liter - Alternator Removal / Blown Headlights Low Beams (2009 2010)

How to remove a 2008 2009 2010 Hyundai Sonata Alternator. Both headlights blown out. (Click: "Show More" for DETAILS) [ Dmitri ]
We had a problem with both the headlights headlamps lowbeams low beams blowing burning going out at the same time.
We performed voltage check at the battery and at the light bulb socket and found the alternator was sending 16-17-18 volts DC to both.
UPDATE: (After we replaced the alternator, and we were checking the voltage coming from the new alternator, we found the battery still giving 17-18 volts DC. We checked the battery voltage with a different volt meter and found the voltage was 14.3 - 14.4 volts DC. MY METER WAS BAD. The battery in the original volt meter was low/dead giving false readings. Replaced the battery in the original meter and all was good. Double check your meter if you are getting strange readings.
(This bad luck with the battery may have actually helped us. Not sure what the voltage would have been had we used a good meter.)
Max alternator voltage should not exceed 14.5 Volts DC; we suspected a bad voltage regulator. Too HIGH of voltage; which made easier to believe why BOTH low beams were failing at near the same time.
Took the suspect alternator to local parts store to verify a failed regulator on alternator.
We were correct, the alternator FAILED all three test items on the bench test at the parts store and we had to replace the alternator. (Thank goodness because, as indicated above, we found our meter out of whack.)
There are two alternator versions. One is about $150 and the other is $280; ours was $150.
NOTE: We had to remove the top radiator hose connection, very easy, to provide access to pull the alternator out. It's a bit of a puzzle, but you CAN do it. We pulled from the top of the motor.
No jacks were needed; unless you would prefer to raise your work to your level so you don't have to bend over so much. And as in our case, we jacked our Sonata because we not sure if removal would occur from underneath. And it worked out well raised, even though the alternator came out from the top. Good luck.
Hope our post helps you. Please let us know.
Thank you to others who have posted information about Hyundai Sonatas which prompted us to do the same.

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

Both my vehicles ('08 Sonata & '03 Jeep Liberty) have major issues right now. My father always repairs them, but he's sadly in the modst of a heart fail battle. This is the reason I need to learn this stuff to help myself. Thank you VERY much for taking the time to help us all. I appreciate and love you immensely, Dad 🩵🩵

[@LapisBlueWRX]

Let it be known that this video helped me in 2022👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@MyCatInABox]

God bless you, sir! ...for telling us the SIZE of the bolts (14 mm, 18 mm, etc)- Instead of just, "take that bolt off over there", like most of the other KZbin videos. And nice trick with the box end wrench on the alternator- I'm sure I'm gonna have to use that.

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Mycatinabox, sooooo... how did the repair go? Anxious to hear. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Hope all went well. 👍

[@slimjimbo8443]

That was super helpful. I was stuck pulling mine out without realizing that simple trick. Thanks a ton

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

My pleasure! Glad it all worked out. 👍

[@yakkx2226]

Same brooooo omg I thought I was gonna have to pay someone

[@timechasers3083]

Go ahead Demitri, show em!

[@timechasers3083]

Couldn’t do anything, Demitri wasn’t there

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Lmbo....awesome!

[@user-ug5sz8wi7b]

Thank you I would have never figured that out on my own.

[@slbarrett89]

Thanks for the video. Gonna tackle my brothers alternator tomorrow morning.

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

@ Sean Barrett - Thanks - Hope things worked out.

[@quiver3320]

I like the wrench idea but I wish you would of showed how you pulled it out from the mounting position. I mean how do you lift it once the bolts are loose but still in place?

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Yeah...I blew it. Sorry about that. I was a tight area... like a Chinese puzzle. Just take your time and it will come out from the top.

[@Falmingo]

screw bolts on new altenator before installing and tap with hammer to open the gap makes it easier to install

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Victor - Nice! Thank you for sharing your experience and helping others.

[@dgardi1]

I'm gonna give this a shot tomorrow. In having such a hard time getting this thing back on. Thanks for the tip

[@white03Mach1]

how do you deal with the bottom bolt and removing the alt. you didn't actually show the alt. coming out, extra pics or video would be very helpful

[@bazar_rawness805]

Your gonna have to remove the wheel and remove some plastic guard to get to it

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

My apologies for not showing everything... it was a last minute thought to make a recording considering how difficult it was to perform the process. We pulled that alternator from the top, on that year and model car. It's a tight fit, but we did remove it from the top.

[@ZanetaCWMontgomery]

What is the issue if it is stuck on the top mount? i cant find any videos or tricks

[@firemanprice]

Great video guys, I'm going to try this tomorrow. Easy to follow and understand, great job.

[@quita8827]

I wish it was a full tutorial on how to completely remove it, but I will try to work with it. I'm a diy person since I can't afford other to do it for me.

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Us too....it just took as little time to wiggle it outa there.

[@MatthewArthen]

Did you take this out without having to raise the car or anything?

[@Scottmd714]

This job is a PITA, but the tip of using a wrench on the bolt is great. I suggest using the longest box wrench that you have for greater leverage. Using the wrench on the bolt also helps to pull the alternator out of the engine compartment and helps when putting the new one in place. Should also mention that I didn't remove the radiator shroud but I did have to detach the upper radiator hose from the radiator to get clearance to remove and reinstall the alternator. Finally, when putting the serpentine belt back on, the last time I absolutely couldn't get the tensioner to move enough and wound up having a mobile mechanic come out to finish the job (and I hate giving up!). However, he also couldn't do it until he unbolted the engine from the motor mount and raised the engine up enough to get more clearance for the wrench. We'll see if I have to raise the engine this time.

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Wow! What a pain! It sucks you failed, but it's awesome that you took on the challenge!

[@Scottmd714]

@@doitmyselfhomerepair1652 Thanks! Had to remove the engine mount and use a Gear Wrench Serpentine Belt Removal tool to get the belt back on, but did it!

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

@@Scottmd714 Awesome! And thank you for sharing your experience. Your comment may help someone else.

[@luisromero-eg8lb]

I did it but I unable to fit the new alternator, how did you put it back, it's seem like a imposible work to do.

[@bryonlittle4341]

This is my problem as well

[@Scottmd714]

I used the wrench on the upper bolt trick shown here to lower the alternator into place, and then a lot of maneuvering to get the lower bolt into the slot. I then used a long extension alternating against the top sides of the alternator and hit it with a hammer to get the top mount into place. I didn't remove the power steering pump but I did disconnect the power steering tube from the reservoir to get clearance for the serpentine belt removal and install.

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Mark, thank you for taking the time to reply. This is exactly why I posted the video...so we could all help each other. 👍

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

I think you have spread that open claw, where the bottom bolt is located, so that when you go to put the new part back in....the claw mouth is opened enough that the lower alternator bolt will drop in. It also might be the "ears" on the lower portion of the alternator are too close together....those lower ears might be hitting the "claw" mouth as you lower it in place. Just spitballing ideas here. Of course this comment is late for you...but hopefully will help someone else.

[@raaawwwwrrr1]

Wow I’ve been fighting this thing for a while

[@annamareeioane6770]

Hi is that the same for 1999 Hyundai sonata 2.5 gls v6 4dr auto

[@michaelquinn9358]

The ears don’t bend the rearward ear has a pin that you have to push back in order to reinstall.

[@joesmith6524]

wheres the power steering pump?

[@markd.8409]

I have a 2001 Elantra At about 100,00 miles the Sony cd changer shut off and the low beams blew, I restarted the car and The changer was working, but the lo beams were blown. (HI beams work fine) Took it to my repair guy and he replaced the alternator, I drove for a few weeks, the cd changer shut off both low beams blew. The changer came back on. I took it back to him, He replaced the bulbs , ran the car for several hours, no prob.This morning the lo-Beams blew again, CD was off at the time

[@LS1PWER]

Awesome thanks for the tip! Was struggling with this shit.

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

My pleasure! Glad it all worked out. 👍

[@602Laoguy]

funny how everyone a mechanic now on youtube lol

[@KEITO2879]

It’s not a 18mm it’s 17mm

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Ah....really. ..whoops 🤦‍♂️ Thank you! Clicked like to bump to the top.

[@danyermplshomie5177]

Very helpful 👍

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

My pleasure.... glad it provided some info.

[@hooligans_garage7465]

Now how in the actual fuck do u get the alternator out of the hole? 2011 not even enough room to take it out the top

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Yeah... I really blew it not showing everything. I didn't have difficulty pulling the alternator out...once it was free. But of course I have forgotten how the heck I did it now. Lesson learned...I'll show everything from now on. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[@bazar_rawness805]

That was the wrong pulley for the tentionor, the right one was next to alternator

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Really...okay... there is a possibility I pointed at the wrong part. Thank you!

[@Fig_PNW]

He said two people lol. pffftttttttsssshhhhit I did it 5 hour by myself hahahaha :(

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Lmao! I hear ya. It has us going. Another post suggested you a large box end wrench and you get. a little more leverage. Glad it all worked out. 👍

[@garyjones3523]

fuckn genius !

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

My pleasure! Glad it helped. 👍

[@mronemanband1]

use a pry bar ! LOL

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

That would work too. lol

[@youtubecommentpolice2043]

Next time pull it out

[@doitmyselfhomerepair1652]

Yeah.... after reading all the comments I really dropped the ball .... I should have show the viewer how the hell I pulled the darn thing out. I didn't realize it was that much of a struggle that it needed showing. Pulling it out is just a process... take your time. Twist and turn and it will come free.

[@N0LYF3]

2man job or woman LM F A O