Chevy HHR Alternator

Simple guide on how to replace a bad alternator on this HHR

[@robertpray1064]

Yup, followed your idea of pushing up on the tensioner and removing the one lift eye (two bolts) and air filter housing, Alternator came out and went in easy. Great advice! I have an 2007 HHR and a Saturn vue 2006 with the same four-cylinder engine so this works on both. Actually bought a reconditioned regulator for fifty bucks. I will replace the regulator in the one I pulled out and keep for a replacement if the Vue fails.

[@JoseHernandez-oq9yo]

Maaan my mechanic told me 125 dollars to replace ur alternator i check ur video maaan in 25 minutes alternator was out thanks bro now u have a new subscriber

[@ecarr8827]

After watching this video I did this but didn’t remove inner wheel well covers. There’s a seam in the covers underneath the alternator that allows you enough room to insert a small pipe or bar thru to the tensioner. Make sure it’s set right and use a jack. Make sure not to use anything sharp and not damage the belt. Removed the front overflow bottle and one side of the top hose for room on exiting the alternator once the bolts and connectors were removed. You can do this without jacking the car and removing the tire. GJ=good job for leading on this.

[@AboveandBeyondGlobalDrones]

e carr ~ Can you change the belt while jacked up like this? Realizing wheel and covers have to come off belt regular serpentine belt tool is too long and would have to be cut....?

[@dennielittlesr4600]

Lock 2 wrenches together man! Am I the only person who figured it out? Works great and fast about 15 seconds! Stop taking your wheels off for everything unless you enjoy manual labor...I'm not a big fan myself. Boxed end on the idler pulley..with Open end sticking up lock the box end on the other wrench. Remove belt/alternator and reverse the process for installation. Your welcome! Dennie you're amazing 😂

[@cjk1331]

I used this trick too thanks for the tip made the job a lot easier. I would really recommend the sisior jack that came with the car

[@williamgremminger3139]

I can't thank you enough! I used your advice and got the job done without any problems , amazing!

[@artemusgordon3832]

Hi Jose, thanks for the very informative video. The belt tensioner "hack" is awesome. great job many thanks Artemus A

[@robertnovotny4588]

Thanks for the video, had no problems doing it the way you did it,thanks. The only thing I did differently was took out coolant reservoir.

[@nicestrat]

no need to remove that....did the job today

[@billygoatracer]

Thanks I just took off mine this way and it worked great also with the jack and wood it will hold the belt in place 👍

[@bryanteichman1712]

just did this tonight and your method worked great thanks for the video

[@gerardomata2739]

Thank you for the tips man, you saved me a lot of trouble, time and money.

[@kiatisakmaldonado1731]

USED this trick and had my alternator out in 25 minutes...taking my time too..

[@frankmachado1010]

thank you, worked like a charm ...if I just may add, check and be sure your belt is out of the way before installing alt, I had to remove it and pull belt to front out of the way and easy to put back on, thank you again.....

[@rlma2906]

Thank you for how to video. This saved me a few bucks.

[@williamgremminger3139]

I believe alternators are pron to go out because the upper radiator hose leaks right down on top of the alternator. .it makes it easier to remove old alternator when you take that hosr out and replace with new one at same time.

[@raymondj8768]

your rite thats what took out my alt dude

[@davidvelasquez3486]

Saved me a lot of time today. Thanks Amigo!

[@robertchambers3722]

Excellent video followed everything for Batum couldn't have done it without the ratchet wrench fish the old unit out my girlfriend held radiator hose out of the way ...

[@AboveandBeyondGlobalDrones]

~ 11 inches - That’s what you cut the Harbor Freight Serpentine Belt tool down to. Slip the Orange plastic cover on it and your in like Flynn. Also, remember how the plastic wheel well cover(s) came off, there’s one really long plastic button up top (replaced fasteners with Chevy universal’s from Advance Auto). Great time to replace the belt with part number 5050400 (Dayco lifetime warranty).

[@joshgray2024]

Lmao. Bro thats awesome!! Dont even have to fiddle with the tensioner haha

[@lexuses3942]

Love the ending lol 😂 you hurt so many ppl who “love” their hhr. It’s your own damn fault for buying one

[@1586g]

Thank you

[@tiger.6509]

Battery is for starting vehicle only, alternator is to run the vehicle at all times that’s why it’s at 14.1 amps-at all the times the battery gets re-charge for a brief moment After starting.

[@e3techgroup777]

Thanks for the tip ! Jacking the tensioner up worked great and saved time. Got the third bolt from underneath once the plastic covers were off. Removal was still tight but got it out. Got any tips on HHR struts and tie rods ?

[@justzayit5082]

E3 TECH GROUP tie rod ends are a breeze. Struts are too. Remove sway bar link from top (replace if needed) then loosen the top 3 bolts all 13 mm then remove the bolts holding the strut up and it drops out. The rod ends is undo the outer tie rod end bolt and the use leverage to break the inner from the pivot ball its in using a big pipe. (Wont damage the rack) and then buy new ones and reverse

[@MrStjones54]

Addon comment...Alt was under warranty. Do you think, as I do, that for some reason the HHR was designed to be like the proverbial canary in the coal mine? What I mean is that it seems to be ultra sensative to solar coronal mass ejections which interfere with the charging system, battery and alt. I follow solar trends, and I notice when there is a high alert for x-ray influx to earth, the HHR "check charging system" lights up, and I either need a new battery or alternator. It sounds crazy, I know; but they told me that about the ignition problems...and people died before they issued the recall.

[@JourneyToTheTruthandTR]

MrStjones54 That's interesting. it gave me an idea for a video if I ever start making videos again.

[@AboveandBeyondGlobalDrones]

~ How would the Kp index affect the cars electrical system? Every car would have the problem then.

[@AboveandBeyondGlobalDrones]

~ How did you guys get the Alternator up and out? Remove the Radiator hose?

[@nicestrat]

don't have to remove the hose....it'll come out.....might have to push the hose back a little bit....did it today!

[@MrStjones54]

I have a 2006 HHR and have replaced the alternator 2x in 18 months, so I understand your situation. Unfortunately, I 'm pretty much a helpless female and the labor is $299 at Pepboys. Doesn't that seem high for what seems like 30 min job?

[@JoeTaco83]

MrStjones54 Well are they charging you $299 for parts and labor? Or just labor? The alternator is usually about $150 to $200

[@BLUEPUNK86]

mine just hit 140k miles and replaced Alternator for first time. 06 as well.

[@AboveandBeyondGlobalDrones]

2006 Battery light and check charging system message appears; changed out battery $150, Advanced Auto OBDII reads Alternator with No output $170 for a rebuilt ~ 77K mileage. And I just replaced the Front Hubs too. Ouch! UPDATE - cut your serpentine belt tool to 11 inches and your life will be a lot easier. Getting the new Alternator in without removing anything but the factory engine hoist clamp, simply takes a little wiggling around but can and was done without a problem.

[@AboveandBeyondGlobalDrones]

MrStjones54 ~ Tire Kingdom wanted $1,000. To replace 4 shocks on my Explorer. The shocks were held in by two bolts each. Did it myself in an hour. Longest part? Taking the tires off. Shop around there must be a small auto shop around you that does honest work. Many guys do SIDE work too. Never hurts to ask a mechanic.

[@frankmachado1010]

never helpless, everyone has to learn....cheers...young lady...

[@rodneytaylor1983]

Just use a large pair of channel-lock pliers to rotate that tensioner. No need to take anything off or go through the wheel well with a jack.

[@mattlewis1143]

this also goes for chevy cobalts. same engine set up

[@tommyforrest3104]

My piece of junk HHR has 307.000+ miles. If you take care of them, they last longer.

[@BLUEPUNK86]

Step one: Disconnect all the cables from the alternator and remove the reservoir one screw at top. Step Two: Jack HHR up and remove passenger side wheel Step three: remove plastic wheel cover should be 2 screws and about 4 clips step four: have some one handy with a long piece of pipe or in our case the jack pole. Step five: use the pipe to push up on the the Tenser and hopefully you have a second person to just push belt over like in the video. Remove 3 bolts "13mm" from alternator and go in reverse from here.

[@BABrandewie]

Nice jack stand!!!! lucky you didn't get crushed under your chevy!!

[@JoeTaco83]

Brendt Brandewie I was actually using a 2nd jack to lift the car. If you look closely in the video under the car it’s color black scissor style.

[@yassineidrissi2551]

good job you can do please install alternator please step by step please

[@juliodlxx7889]

Gracias....!!

[@yassineidrissi2551]

hello I want to change thermostatie chevrolet hhr 2006 i do not know what is or

[@martinmorales3269]

What problems were u having that made u change the alternator?

[@AboveandBeyondGlobalDrones]

Battery light came on and a message across dash saying "Check Charging System". New Battery did not clear lights. Had Advance Auto run their OBDII which showed no voltage from Alternator. My Acton OBD reader did not show any problems so you need the one for charging systems.

[@Jenny-bi1ey]

My guy, you can't hold a car up with a scissor jack while you work on it. Scissor jacks are made for quickly replacing a tire, you will die. Please be careful, jack stands are $20.

[@Danny-jb6pg]

How long of a 2 by 4??

[@nicestrat]

dont use a 2x4.....u want a thin piece of wood....1/2" x 1/2" or so.....mine was 15-16" long.

[@tiger.6509]

OK October 5 we change the alternator on the HHR on the front three bolts that hold the hood release remove that then there’s one bolt that holds bracket that holds the radiator remove those two brackets then remove the radiator hose especially if it’s been sitting for a while like a day not much coolant come out of that then proceed then remove coolant reservoir ,,, to unbolt the alternating you can lift it right out.

[@lovetheoutdoors9485]

That's too much work. I did it in less than 20 minutes. You don't need to remove anything but coolant reservoir. I made a video. The voice is crappie but take a look at it.

[@kjg52979]

Where can I watch the video you made? Thank you

[@nicestrat]

did this today....didn't have to remove the coolant resevoir...

[@senorsenor2665]

I.TOK.OUT.THE.M TOR.AN.JANK.THE..CAR.

[@senorsenor2665]

MANwat.acrap.of.cars.of.todas.....

[@alaskanjammer]

Boo...your title has 'replace' you did not show that...Booo[ol