Alternator replacement - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L engine

[@nolanjoseph1892]

No annoying music, no distracting talking.... All mechanical totorial videos should be like this.😊

[@jerryduggan3650]

You sir are a lifesaver, i was dreading doing this job for my daughter and i would have been lost without watch ing your video, i knew all the tools i needed before hand from the video and it saved me a ton of time....not to mention 1000$ if i took it to someone like a mechanic....thankyou thankyou thankyou...

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Glad the vid helped, Jerry. Saving money is the name of the game, if you are able to fix it yourself. There is another way to do this, but I personally don't like messing with radiators and/or condensers, if I can help it. Thanks for watching!

[@lowbatteries6391]

I wish other youtubers would watch your videos and take note. I spent hours, viewing other videos on how to do this. Your video, by far was the only one I felt comfortable enough to follow. From start , to finish, to even your straight forward title, it was spot on and I sincerely thank you!!!

[@richardbossman9875]

I just did an alternator replacement on my wife's 2005 Sante Fe and wanted to point out two things. First was the fact that I was able to easily get the alternators ( old and new ) through the bottom opening rather than the side. After getting the AC compressor dropped and its bracket removed all I had to do was unplug/unbolt the alternator wiring and unbolt the alternator. The second was MAKE SURE you tighten the bolt back up on the tensioner pulley itself.

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

I did it the hard way and figured it out... one try at ta time, mine had to come out thru the wheel well. ...not all these models are exactly the same. I tried the bottom, but there simply was no way. I turned that alternator on its head, its side, its arse, its grand mother's sit... and wasted time. Of course, now I find this video... after the fact ... som om a Btch!

[@trickyricky12147]

​@@DormantIdeasNIQLol yeah you'll get them bigger jobs 😂

[@DemonRat71]

I started taking my Mom's alternator out and said screw it I need some help on this. Found your video and decided it was going to be a lot easier than what I had read online. Thanks for the great video. I can now save my mom some money.

[@infinitetradecraft1837]

Just did this for the second time. Thank you for posting this. Every other tutorial seems to skip over the part where you have to teleport the alternator through the wheel well. I can't say it wasn't a pain in the rear to do mostly alone, but that's just the design of the bracketry and the shoe-horned installation. This is likely the clearest and most straightforward video tutorial I've been able to find. *high five* and keep it coming.

[@jdosdall]

Thank you for producing this detailed video on the 2003 Hyundai 3.5 alternator. I never would have guessed how to go about it. My gratitude for you is only matched by my contempt for Hyundai's throw away car design philosophy which allows them to build things like interference engines and this unserviceable piece of *.

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Yeah, can't understand why they put things where they do. I guess they don't want people working on their own vehicles. Glad it helped...thanks for watching!

[@harlow2624]

I had saved this video for future reference and I finally had to use it after my ALT died last week. It was a bit of a pain, but worth it to save money and gain experience. Thank you very much!!

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Glad it helped...and yes, it is a real pain. But, for these types of projects, it's best to only concentrate on one bolt, nut or connector at a time (don't look at the project as a whole). Next thing you know, the part is out. Same with putting it back in. Thanks for watching!

[@fonzo2525]

thats the best way,one step at a time,my brother said the same thing,sometimes looking at the whole repair is just too much for most people to want to do it themselves

[@sergiogonzalez1910]

Thank you for this, greatly helped me, it turned into an hour and a half job with both drive belts being replace also. This video was very detailed and of great instructional guidance.

[@patrickbowman2904]

Just finished this doing this for a neighbor, couldn't have done it without this video!

[@oldtoothlesslion3975]

Hey GMF thanks for the video you saved me a lot of time and heartache trying to trial and error this swap. Your video is top notch professional. I’d like to note I appreciate you don’t waste time explaining trivial details most any diy mechanic already knows ex “which way to turn a socket”.

[@jimgutzwiller8121]

Thank you! Very well done video, would not have attempted this if this video wasn't out there.

[@raccoon_1492]

Great video. Not much of a car person and didn’t want to pay $450 for labor. Took me 10 hours with little to no experience. But works great. Thanks.

[@ipmechanic1]

Thank you... This repair took a long time and was challenging.

[@pawsformercy1050]

Challenging is not the word I have chosen for this job having had to do mine not once not twice but 3 times in 2 years.

[@paulmohney5450]

I was so stoked when I found this. I am a shade tree mechanic, driven by necessity, and consider You tube a gift from god. I'm doing this repair for a friend who needs the thing but can't afford a real mechanic to fix it. That being said I went back and stared at the engine compartment, again and on the passengers side of the motor,there is a plastic cover that goes on forever, front to back and of some depth (as far as I can see from the top) is there some way to get this off not involving moving the motor. if not I'm going to buy him an alternator and serpentine belt and apologize for wasting his time.

[@fw9770]

thank you so much i followed every step you did not miss anything and that shaved me almost $600. this was by far the best

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

ONE OF THE BEST VIDEOS, hands down. I don't produce videos but if I did, that is the way I would do it. ...starting teaching all the grand instructors on the Net! - Rule on battery DISCONNECT: B- first, then B+ --- CONNECT: B+ then B-... thus taking the B- off does not break that rule. - Also, do not charge the battery while hooked up to the vehicle, always disconnect both terminals when charging.

[@joe6v674]

Just wanted to say thanks for such a detailed video of this alternator remove & replace. Ive never liked working on Hyundai vehicles & this one was no exception, seems like they started with an alternator & built the car around it.

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

You are so right! I think they build them so we would be discouraged in trying to fix the problems ourselves, and take it to the shop. But if you're like me, I've owned vehicles with a few years on them and can't justify (ok, I'll admit it...can't afford) to spend hundreds of dollars to fix common problems. I currently own a 2001 Ford Escape and it's no easier on those, either. Thanks for watching!

[@infinitetradecraft1837]

@@GreaseMonkeyFever I'm not *sure* that's the case so much as this era of Hyundai used Nissan engine castings. I think a lot of "just make it fit" compromises were made. As long as it went together OK in the factory, it shipped - either way it definitely wasn't built to be worked on easily by any remote stretch of the imagination. You're a godsend on how to defornicate their engineering blunders. Thanks again, really.

[@nolanjoseph1892]

Excellent video and very helpful. I took off the front bumper and radiator. I was stuck and did not know what to do next. Your video pulled me out of a nightmare. Thanks a million. I'm subscribing.

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Thanks! I remember when I first took on the job, the radiator route looked promising. After all, it's right behind and below the radiator. But I decided I didn't want to drain, remove, install and refill it. If that bracket that holds the alternator and compressor were made just a LITTLE different, that thing would come out easier! Again, thanks for the compliment, for subscribing...and watching!

[@heidimelcarek3677]

TYVM! Ugh, what a bear of a job! But your step-by-step instructions were very helpful.

[@BruceLyeg]

Thanks you very much. I was looking for a video on how to remove the splash guard and was having a heck of a time finding anything anywhere. I'm changing the the CV axles on mine and the guard was in the way. This video showed exactly where the bolts were. Perfect. I really appreciate you taking the time to make a video.

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Glad it helped...in some way. Thanks for watching!

[@fonzo2525]

my brother is a mechanic and just did this same job on my 04 hyundai santa fe with the big 6 and it took him about 3 hours,don't think he watched this video it probably would have helped because hes a honda mechanic but he said it was a gigantic pain in the ass because of the age of the car with bolts rusted on etc,he said he was glad he didn't work for hyundai,he did say it was the original alternator that had 190k on it which actually amazed him,he said damn,never seen that before,lol

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

There is a small part of the bracket that makes this job a pain. This job would be so much easier if that small part was just 1/2" offset! Thanks, Hyundai! Thanks for watching, Fonzo!

[@cl051196]

Great video Thanks Grease Monkey. My mechanic quoted ~$485. $250 for a new alternator. You can buy a remanufactured alternator with lifetime warranty for $135. So, I saved around $350. Whether it was worth it or not remains in question. It was a beeyoch!!

[@bobbieodom8835]

Felt this

[@sergeantmajordyi7049]

Fantastic Video. I followed it step by step on my 2005 Santa Fe and it was perfect. Thanks You the man.

[@Scotty7y]

CSM. Rene Rivera yea that’s the car we’re doing now I’m 16 I just bought it

[@mattydlo]

Thanks this helped me a ton

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Glad the vid helped. It is a PITA, but just take one nut, bolt and connector at a time, and before you know it, you're finished. You can also do this by taking the radiator out, but me personally, I don't want the mess or have to refill and burp the cooling system. Thanks for watching!

[@adamkeith3625]

Awesome video. I'm glad I found it. It's gonna make this project a lot easier.

[@willaleman7385]

Thanks! Amazing video and I helped my friend save hundreds! I was able to reinstall the 4 main bolts on the compressor bracket prior to putting the ac compressor back and it wasn't too tough. Other that I followed everything to the T and it worked out great! Thanks again!

[@infinitetradecraft1837]

Same deal. One of the tabs was broken off my compressor bracket, still worked just fine. The power steering line was zip-tied to the front bumper. I have a feeling when they replaced my engine last year they... cut a few corners.

[@bobbieodom8835]

You have no idea how much this helped!!! Thank you so much.!!

[@bobbieodom8835]

I also almost threw the car away🥴

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

That is the way to demonstrate a repair process correctly. I figured this out the hard way, wish I had encountered this video first !!! I knew the way out is thru the wheel well, though mechanics insisted the radiator had to be pulled out. ...and these Santa Fe crap are ridiculous... just to do a simple alternator replacement!!! sick! - many of them have valve cover issues which creates oil leaks and destroy the alternator - they also have radiator issues that cause coolant to spray all of the engine and bathe electrical connectors in coolant! and fry the fan motor...

[@harrybrana7389]

Gracias por el video ,esta muy bien grabado,gracias al video me deje llevar paso a paso para arreglar mi guagua y me salio todo bien ...gracias..

[@G.F.C]

thank you ,it helped out so much I just saved more then a couple hundred

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Now you can use that money to get something you really want! Thanks for watching!

[@reannevalentine9278]

"By switching to KZbin"! 🤣🤣 jk I had to! I'm about to use this video right now to do it my car lol

[@QuestForDetails]

Hey I just subscribe to this channel after using the video 2 replace the alternator on my 2005 Santa Fe instructions were perfect and precise and worked for the 2005 just fine with the exception that the AC bracket has four bolts instead of 5 otherwise it was the exact same thing save me a lot of money and a lot of time I appreciate it and you just helped keep the Quest for details back on the adventure I'll be sure and let people know about your Channel thanks

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Thanks, Quest. Glad it was useful...and thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@AntCo0607]

Best how to video ever..... thank you so much!

[@madbrewer3000]

@Grease Monkey Fever July 2024 here, just to let you know, even though your post is 7yrs old, it's what I needed for my job!!! I purposely logged for this comment. Even though you may have long forgotten about posting this,.. after 7yrs, it's still helping people & thanks from the,....future?? Cheers🍻🍻

[@cadrisgreen9053]

Dude you are the SHIT... I FOLLOWED YOU STEP BY STEP..You no your vehicles. Sincerely Thanks a bunch..👍🏻

[@rebekahroth6088]

just did this on a 2010 Santa Fe. I think I'd rather have had my a** beat than do this. I wish I'd watched this video before hand. One I watched had you undo the fan, slide it over, undo radiator hoses, and finagle it up between the engine and radiator. Man do I miss the good ole days...much easier to work on, and had more room.

[@ronenzenbacher3111]

Thanks for posting this.

[@mariemace9521]

I like my santa fe but ya alternator removal is kind of a nightmare but your video help me some much thanks

[@edwardbruce5859]

Great video find me someone that makes a great video with no music

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Yeah, sometimes the music in videos can be annoying, or doesn't match the "mood". At least with these, you can listen to your own music...or even watch TV...and not miss anything. Thanks for watching, Ed!

[@lexb277]

I'm a mechanic and I don't even want to work on this

[@marcsmith3881]

I am with you especially on the ground. This one sucks. I have a customer with a 2005 XG350L with a bad alternator. I have pulled engines, but I am on the fence with this job. I will charge enough to make it atleast worth all of the headache. If they say no, that works as well.

[@brandonmarshall7479]

😢Thank you sir you see you all on the other side

[@joemorrow2899]

Wait, I've seen other videos where you only have to take the tire off And then the splash guard and you have access to the alternator. Why do all of the other unnecessary work?

[@pawsformercy1050]

Joe Morrow ... hey Where did you see it can you send me a link I'm about to remove the second alternator since july 2017 I have had to put in at great expense and hassle and would love to find an easier way if possible to put in a third . I am hoping to avoid the 4 to 6 plus hours of tearing everything I just paid to repair my harmonic balancer belts idle pulley and suspension ALL JUST DONE THIS YEAR and this stupid pos alternator from auto zone keeps going bad first one just quit then second one the bearings FROZE up and chewed up my belts this one the voltage regulator got all whacky and finally stopped charging battery and I'm not looking forward to tearing this all out again and again and AGAIN

[@marcsmith3881]

Different engine, different vehicles. Clearly it wasn't this vehicle. Maybe those parts were already removed. Lots of material details untrained eyes will miss.

[@jimmalin7020]

Great video! I am very thankful!

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Thanks, Jim...hope it helped. And thanks for watching!

[@WhyNot_OfficialChannel]

I cant move the compressor after loosening the 4 bolts, any suggestions. Everything else worked exactly as the video suggested until it was time to move the air compressor. That thing won't budge from the bracket

[@buccaneerbob11]

Probably loosened the wrong 4

[@AntCo0607]

Any advice or tips on doing a rack and pinion on this same car?

[@bluemax229]

This was a silent video, right? As a rule I don't like silent videos, but this one was well made and had the proper texting to apply to the scene. I hope that when I begin my alternator replacement that I have a much easier time of it than you did, because I've watched probably 10 other videos that don't remove near as many parts.

[@watchdis4]

They were probably messing stuff up to do the job. Other than taking the radiator out, I dont see another way. This was a life saver for anyone willing to sweat.

[@bluemax229]

@@watchdis4 I did get my alternator replaced, but it was so long ago I can't remember all the details. I have a wife, daughter and two granddaughters. Only the wife cares anything about taking care of their car. Too bad they're not boys, or they could fix their own cars!

[@lowbatteries6391]

I personally don't much care for the videos that talk for ten minutes before getting to the subject matter, or the ones that have annoying music, or music that drowns out any talking, or the ones where there is talking, however you cant hear them, or in different language without subtitles. Some videos have all of the above. Those other videos are skipping through a bunch of steps..

[@christinamichael4501]

Are the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L engine and the KIA Sorento 2004 3.5L the same, as far as changing the Alternators? Is it the same process? Thanks

[@APC9906]

I’ve changed a few alternators before but this looks more complicated on the Santa Fe.

[@ZaneRaptor]

"Loosen it from the bracket with a couple taps." How to lobotomize a hyundai!

[@trickyricky12147]

Hyundai owner here ya gotta do what ya gotta do🤷‍♂️ Don't worry too much when wrenching and everything is good to go.

[@scottellis1828]

I may not get a response before I start doing this but its worth a shot... Will this work for the 2003 3.5L v6 model? my voltage regulator is going out on mine and I've crawled under it to look at what it takes and even started working on the pulleys only to be shot down by the motor mount in the way... If this is how you can do it on a 2003 this is gonna save me $600+

[@michellespeaks527]

I can't get the power steering line to lay flat after I put the AC compressor back in. It's either above the AC compressor or under it preventing the wheels from turning. Any help?

[@420NDNjaba]

My brother has a '04 Santa Fe but the alternator is on the firewall side. Do you have a video for that process?

[@ElJordi]

This working for Santa fe 2001?

[@user-cl5ov9dx5o]

Did you forget the bolt in front of the crank pulley for the p/s line secure??

[@paulc8109]

Does your group have video for the same engine of a full replacement of the timing components and water pump? 3.5L V6 DOHC 2004-ish?

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Sorry, I don't. This was my ex-girlfriend's car and she let it get repossessed not long after doing the spark plug video...LOL. Thanks for watching, Paul!

[@CallofDoobie585]

Grease monkey fever... where did you get the pivoting ratchet??? Links?

[@abdd56]

just did one on a xg350 took out the fan loosened radiator moved ac line out of the way and removed it from the top took about 1.5 hours

[@OnlyGamerAround]

Do you have the dimensions of the tension adjustment bolt? It fell off while driving and no one online or the dealership have it.

[@safygoon]

My car santa fe 2004 2.7 take about 6 liter engine oil what is the problem. Keep this constant and there is no leaking oil and do not out with the exhaust.

[@SalandFindles]

This seems like a total nightmare to try and attempt. How long did it take all together?

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

It can be. But like most of these type of things, I don't look at the job as a total...that would make me just walk away. All I focus on is the next nut, bolt or screw...nothing else. Then before you know it, it's off. Do the same for reassembling...before you know it, it's back together and done!

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Oh...and it took an entire Saturday. But shooting these vids makes the project 3 times longer to do.

[@SalandFindles]

+Grease Monkey Fever Well, my brother is about to pay $550 just to have his alternator replaced on his '04 Santa Fe. Just wondering about an alternative. But then again, I don't want to spend 12 hours doing one small job like this.

[@G.F.C]

thanks for taking the time to make this video

[@matthewjeschke]

omg just kill me now. I cannot believe you got that out of there w/o dynamite. My buddy's just went out and I was curious what it took to change it. He told me they spent forever working on it. I'm used to them on the top of the motor.

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

It's tight, no doubt. And same here...changed many on top (even on front-wheel drives). They make a lot of these cars so people would be discouraged in attempting to do it themselves. Thanks for watching!

[@jhonotarola1342]

quick question, would this be the same process for a 2.4 engine on a 2003?

[@Jedi_Luke]

Jhon Otarola Way different. much easier

[@Dewshon-Mandick]

So much easier on yours then this one yours is a piece of cake compared tho this thou don't have tho take a bunch of thing off and out of the way on yours

[@carey_metv]

I'm beginning to wonder what I got my self into... Like I got it out but I'm having a hard time getting it back together. As soon as I get this done I'm selling it 1000$ bucks come get it

[@Outlawed1]

Is this the same way for replacing the alternator on a 2003 2.7 v6 a/c ?

[@Jedi_Luke]

sirjoseydirte. no the 2.7 alternator is in the back. remove the wheel and you can get right to it.

[@tesla416]

Remove the engine and you can get right to it. LOL

[@paulc8109]

Great video sadly I could not hear the audio. I tried! Ill make sure and run this while doing the job. .

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Thanks, Paul. There is no audio in the repair videos. They are designed to act as "manuals with moving pictures" to follow along on a laptop, tablet or smartphone while actually doing the job. If you are outside working on the vehicle, it's hard to hear audio anyway...and a lot of the time, music is annoying. These vids are meant to be more practical than entertaining. I try to keep a pace where if you pause to do the current step, and then continue to the next, nothing is missed. Again, thanks for watching!

[@djemischief1]

Wow years ago I did my 99 Chevy Blazer alternator it took me less than an hour right on top. This one I'm just not going to be able to do it I don't have the tools and place to do it now I'm screwed I need someone to help me with this.

[@abelincoln332]

It would be easier to run the car off a cliff, and collect the insurance, than replace an alternator! LOL

[@michaelcarpenter3837]

I have been working on this for several hours now, and I say BS! Unless you have hands the size of a 3 year old, you have not a snowballs chance in hell of actually completing this.

[@gwalker5327]

Yikes. I've replace a few alternators over the years and they have been the simplest jobs ever. Usually the alternator sits right on top of the engine and access couldn't be any easier. 15 minute job you can do in a parking lot without even getting dirty. This Santa Fe job looks like a nightmare!

[@Jedi_Luke]

this is hell !! I'll stick to owning Honda's cuz they are much easier to work on lol. good video tho

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Don't blame you. The ex got rid of this thing about 4 months ago, so I'm free from it (the car)...good riddance! Thanks for watching!

[@fonzo2525]

anything else goes wrong with mine its getting driven over a cliff,,without me in it of course,lol

[@josephwagner7610]

Way too hard this way. Take the time to remove the front bumper cover, the radiator supports and bumper supports. Remove the radiator, lift the a/c condenser slightly up and the alternator is right there. Two bolts need to be removed from the bottom through the wheel well, saves time, trouble and way faster, no need to mess with the a/c compressor.

[@marcsmith3881]

This is not bad if you have a cordless 3/8 ratchet. The AC does not get disconnected. It just hangs down the same way as if you were doing an alternator on older 3.0L Maximas.

[@marilynmelendez5651]

Mire mi hermano buscaba alguien que me ayudara, por lo que ví, creo saber más que usted. Para sacar el alternador no tienes que desarmar tanto. Gracias por nada

[@tonycantu2863]

I found myself here because all data has no info on this R&R procedure. I have access to i didn't fix and shopkey but I'm too lazy to search any further lol

[@masterpanda_10]

Appreciate the video. However when you said "through gender wall, install accessible bracket bolts.." @23:37, I disagree😅 had to go from underneath and even then was tedious, however didnt see anyway around it. Whoever designed this car should be appalled

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

Thanks for the feedback, Andrew. You're right, they all can be accessed from the bottom. But for some reason, laying on my back and looking up gives me a HUGE headache. Any chance I get to sit upright, I do. Notice I said "accessible" bolts. Only some are accessible from the fender well, the rest I did from underneath. The first ones in the well were mainly to keep the bracket still. They are hard to reach, but luckily I have small hands and wrists, so it wasn't bad for me. But you're right...if you have big hands and arms, you're best off doing them all from the bottom. And I agree...the engineers at Hyundai need to be whipped with wet noodles for their design of this atrocity. Again, thanks for the feedback...and thanks for watching!

[@Chance_ForForeverBV]

So what are the tools needed?

[@henryherber1973]

Doing my third alt. on the same car, started today. Was my wife's SUV, now my son's. this is the STUPIDEST engineered design I've ever seen!!!!!

[@손종오-d9r]

잘봤습니다. 댕큐

[@GreaseMonkeyFever]

기쁜 데 도움이되었습니다. 보고 주셔서 감사합니다.

[@johnjriden]

Nope total bullshit you cannot get the compressor passed those power steering lines I like how you cut it out in your video.!!!

[@interpinto]

It sucks, this job is so bad this guy lost his voice!

[@DirtyDirtbath]

You excruciate every detail except how the hell to get the alternator out. Just wiggle it out my was this things bigger on all sides than this hole ... just wiggle it out..................................................................

[@guillermocandelas9635]

muchas gracias amigo tu vídeo está muy bien hecho explicas cada paso y PS la verdad es mucho más fácil realizar el trabajo un saludo desde nvo casas grandes chihuahua México