HOW TO Replace/Change Alternator on 2008 Chrysler Town and Country

This is my 2008 Chrysler Town and Country
3.8 V6
How to change/replace alternator.
Parts:
Alternator, 160 amp (there is also a 140 amp, you have to double check which you need)
Tools:
Rachet Set: 11, 13, 14, and 15 mm
Flat head screw driver
Serpentine Belt Tool
While driving, my battery light came on, a short while later other lights came on, such as the ABS, traction light, and others. I heard a loud high frequency humming sound (it was my serpentine belt), and then my AC started running hot, even when it was on cold.
Luckily I was down the street from my house. I could tell that my car was running off the battery and from there I knew I only had a little while to get home.
When I parked, my car smelled like burned rubber.
The next morning I tested the battery and alternator with a voltmeter to diagnose the problem.
I’m not a mechanic, I’m an EE. So fixing things, putting things together, and problem solving is up my ally.
I came upon one video that was good, but it didn’t have all the extra details I needed; so I ended up searching for more videos to get all the info. I got frustrated with searching so I decided to make this video. Hopefully it has everything you’re searching for.
*NOTE: This will take approx 1 hour (more or less) to complete. Make sure you have all the tools before and double check that your auto store has the alternator you need.
**Pretty easy straight forward fix
Here are a few links that I used to reference what exactly I needed to do and check for in order to complete the job.
How to test alternator video link:
• How to Test an Alternator
Replacing Serpentine Belt Videos link:
• Serpentine belt remova...
• 2008 Dodge Grand Carav...

[@imjustme1991]

Basically, 140 amp if you have basic radio, lights ... 160 amp if you have more options in your car like sounds system power door ... screen tvs ...more stuff that need more power in the car. Hope that help. Thanks for the great video 👍👍👍👍

[@joeblow5365]

Fantastic ! ! ! . . . I'm 70 yr old guy who has always appreciated a pretty & knowledgeable girl who can do her own repairs . . . Back in the day, knew a couple of girls who built & raced their own cars . . . Most Wonderful People . . . God Bless YOU . . .

[@velardez2002]

For some reason alot of people can't explain properly the procedures or are just dummies. Kudos to you. Good job !

[@DJKhrome]

Mery, I’ve gotta hand it to you, you were EXCEPTIONAL!! It took me less time to replace my alternator on my 2010 T&C than it would’ve taken if I went to a mechanic! Saved my family $400 in repair bills!! Outstanding work!! Thanks for everything!!

[@TheBnpauley]

YES! this is the only video that explains how to remove the damn electrical connector without breaking it!!! 100 star review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@lulusuberville]

I made this video because all the ones I saw to help me weren’t thorough and I had to view several different videos to get the full “picture” of how to do it. This electrical connection was a big one for me too. Glad it helped! 🎉😎

[@rayh2834]

Thank you very much for this video. I just finished changing the alternator in my 2009 Chrysler Town and Country 3.8L engine. Your explanation made everything so very simple and straightforward. Total time to remove, replace, and install including the new battery was less than 45 minutes. Again, this is all because of your video. My wife is always suspect when I say I am going to try and fix something. I showed her your video and said to my wife, "Look at her nails! She is able to do this and maintain those nails; I can do this." Thank you again for this well-done and very informative instructional video.

[@elderpaulkinglathamjr1960]

Best removal and install video that I have seen. Great job getting strait to the point and speeding up the video at just the right time. I will be watching out for more of your videos.

[@davidfisher2055]

Young lady I can't thank you enough for this video I watched a couple other videos before this one and them guys didn't know what they were talking about I had to watch a female to get it right I can't believe I'm saying that but it is what it is thanks for the vid PS you're prettier than a new set of wheels and tires

[@xeniacoffee]

Great video. I love to see a woman doing this work. I've done this job once before and just needed a refresher. This would have really helped me the first time. This was very detailed and well shot. I'm going to subscribe.

[@billmuggelberg8418]

Great job on the video. I tried to watch a guy do this same work and he didn't explain the nuts sizes or anything like you did. Your narration was spot on. Thank you Mery!

[@teehawk1678]

Definitely helped me. November 2023

[@sethowen4836]

I just wanted to say thank you for this very detailed video. It really helped, especially socket size for all the nuts and bolts. And the call out on the serpentine belt tension tool and how to use it and locate where to use it. Overall just wonderful and so useful. Changed my bad alternator out with a new one in under an hour and all work perfectly. Thanks again!

[@whatyousay63]

Excellent presentation

[@jh58]

Excellent video, after watching it I now have the confidence to do it myself, thanks to you!

[@selemonasrat6979]

Thanks I just changed mine your video helped me to find that a little square which you showed as with your finger thanks again

[@zmurah]

Perfect...absolutely perfect. I love how real your video was because I was doing the same things you were doing. Thank you so much! You made swapping out my alternator a walk in the park.

[@Laney789]

I’m about to replace mine and you gave me the confidence to do it so thank you for that !

[@1myourhuckleberry]

You are awesome!! Watched several videos but no one went through such detail as you, which I so needed!! Now my battery warning light is off and I'm happy!! Thank you Thank you!!

[@andrewps84]

I figured I’d leave a post repair comment: the serpentine tool is the only way to go if you don’t want to tear the liner off and lay on the ground (if you don’t have a hoist or lift). Once I had that, it was only 10 minutes of work and I was back in action. I’m an independent contractor so my vehicles are my income, period, and I was without either of them for almost 2 weeks.

[@roydesignedthat]

I ground off the tip of the square socket and that slipped in with a pipe on the handle. The speing ball was still in tact, so therefore, the wrench will still be useful. AllthebestRoy

[@HeatBBallKY]

Thanks for explaining how to disconnect the electrical connector. I was struggling with it. Great Video.

[@rickkeith1]

Well done video. Good lighting and camera work makes a difference. Thanks so much.

[@sonroof89]

This was super helpful, thank you. I'm not much of a handy man and have never really worked on a car but I was able to accomplish this no problem. Thanks again

[@deitydam]

Awesome job on the video work! Very good camera shots and you don't waste time explaining simple things like "How to disconnect the battery!"

[@underthesonson845]

You go girl, man I’ve been looking for a video and typically it’s guys. I’m surprised, proud and you explained it very well. Thank you🙏🏽💪🏽

[@londonleat2201]

Will be trying this out very soon!! Thank you in advance ☺

[@gf0101]

i love your energey its so bright i deffinentley subscribed and thx this helped :)

[@michaellentz7650]

Helped So Much! Glad you showed the steps. It took about an hour! Not bad for a first time job. Thanks so much for posting. 🙂

[@andrewps84]

Thanks for the video; I figured it couldn’t be a difficult job but it helps to have a tutorial.

[@happytogrowfinally8181]

thankyou for all the help!

[@biggerfishTX]

@mary this is awesome! Thanks so much for posting it. Saved me $400 by doing it myself. You're a lifesaver. ** NOTE - pulling the red tab out of the electrical connection is key. I missed that part, and had to rewatch to see how to get that connection off.

[@jamesbasuel142]

Much respect do for doin yer own wrenchin! You surely saved a bunchah $$$!

[@sonneshields1800]

Nice job. Hopefully it goes as easy for me today.

[@DaynaRiggins]

Did it work for you

[@sasha216t]

The 15 dislikes are guys that had to hire a mechanic

[@roydesignedthat]

Thanks, very helpful, although I snapped the one bolt that caused no end of fussing! I finally drilled out around the left over stud and managed to bash out the old Altinator. I cut off the bolt leaving an one eight of it to "key" in the hole but so the new altinator would just go on! It worked out and with the main through bolt tight and braket secured, it can't move! All ended well! AllthebestRoy

[@number1yemeny]

Great job that was help a lot am have to change mine to

[@herrehhh4628]

THANK YOU for sharing!

[@Gusnake07]

Excellent Video, thank you for doing it, appreciate the details in showing where the parts/bolt, etc are.

[@javiguzman2986]

Thanks you you save me money good job

[@mauriceclark6093]

Freaking proud of you!

[@RainColle]

So, why are you "freaking proud" of someone knowing what he/she is doing? How about showing mutual respect for those who know their shit, because this is stuff helpful to lots of people, who may have never done this stuff before so save your pride for those who don't know this shit but are willing to watch and learn and are willing to apply themselves to resolving their own car issues following what they've learned.

[@StreetVibe197]

Thanks It looks easy..

[@robertbjgvch190]

Appreciate this thank you

[@angelarias5197]

Very very nice 👍🏽

[@MrBecerraXXL]

Thank you

[@th71-23]

her boyfriend better be making her sandwiches

[@user-vq4yw3rt7m]

You’re awesome

[@dannydyi7123]

I'm going to try! -i'll post my results...

[@beejaythedeejay5100]

Get work love to see women keep her car running U Go 👧 dam that's how A BOSS MOVES ON THERE OWN☝✌👀🙏💪🙌✊💥👸

[@juandiaz1255]

My hates off to you awesome video looking forward to other videos

[@MrDundrik]

thxs

[@acoe1780]

Thank you, it worked perfectly.

[@justlooking715]

Nice Job, do you have a video on how to replace the starter in our mini van?

[@lashesdelsol3240]

Sorry, I have not replaced the starter yet in this car.

[@juandiaz1255]

Great video check out mamma Mechanic

[@21stcenturyexaminedlife45]

First video that doesn't require jacking up van, removing front right tire, removing the plastic guarder and clips (christmas trees.) Was this possible for you because of the serpentine tool?

[@lulusuberville]

Holy crap, why do all that for this small job, crazy! 😅 Yes, the serpentine tool is a must, you wouldn’t be able to take off or put on the belt without it. It’s a straight forward and easy fix, hope it helps!

[@msntung]

You can use a 3/8 ratchet and a long wrench (O side) as en extension and pull that baby.

[@LubaLuba1]

Where is the alternator fuse on 2011 Town and Country just changed alternator and have a new battery but still not charging.

[@brokenarrow8251]

Did you replace because of a high pitch whining noise? Im having that issue and I was thinking it was this.

[@brokenarrow8251]

Ok. Thank you

[@rbk7876]

Yours is a little easier than my 06, oh hey can you be cloned ? 😉

[@lulusuberville]

Haha! I wish! I need more of me too.

[@LubaLuba1]

I think this is a little easier because the alternator is up on top where in the 2011 and 2023 they made it so you need mechanic because its below the a/c unit

[@andrewps84]

That sucks; I always appreciate a car that has easy access to certain components and the home mechanic can do it themselves. I took auto mechanics in high school and learned a few things, but recently I’ve had to learn how to do some of my own work because of lack of money and making a decision to handle things without help from family.

[@calvinmarshall54]

Go girl lol!!!

[@worlsonjoseph4217]

What’s the tool that makes the belt loose called?

[@whatyousay63]

Serpentine tool

[@WalfridoFraticelli]

Is a 160 AMP.

[@humanbean3]

ahhhh nice it can be done without jacking the car up and removing the tire! thanks haha

[@lulusuberville]

I like easy fixes. If I absolutely had to take off the tire, I would have, but I enjoy finding a work-around. Glad it helped.

[@adamsdiyandrandomvids5379]

What was the van doing to make you think it was the alt

[@andrewps84]

In my case, it was a loud racket, the battery light coming on and off, and finally getting stranded twice when the van just randomly died. Also, I just had the battery replaced not even two months ago.

[@adamsdiyandrandomvids5379]

@@andrewps84 thank you

[@saltandlight8187]

Youre pretty wonderful

[@calvinmarshall54]

I know right!

[@divingwithr5114]

Lol I do my own work as well and I had to chuckle because I say things like nuts bolts whatever you know what I mean

[@jucereca14]

You dont make videos? Any more

[@topgane]

I was hoping to be near to help you

[@Ali-cj6wp]

Thank you