Topic: Electrical Problem...Not Pontiac Related

[RENOVATIONS]

How did you get to the alternator?  I may have to do the same job on my daughters Saturn someday.

Raised the car and removed the front pass. tire...removed 2 sections of the inner wheel well (plastic).

Removed the serpentine belt and the bottom thru-bolt on the alternator...unplugged both connectors at the alternator from underneath the car. Removed the top bolt on alternator from topside ( bolt is hidden below and slightly behind the power steering pulley (PIA).
One bolt holds a plastic protective shield to/around the alternator...wrestled the alternator to an angle where it comes out the only possible way: out between the engine and spindle.

I will say install was much easier after figuring out all the angles and connection locations during removal. 

I'm not sure how he did it, but he borrowed my sawzall and cutting torch.

Those are for taking revenge on the design engineers 

[ta78w72]

OK, that's exactly how I would have approached that problem.  I hate working on those cars, they're mostly plastic.

[turbota400]

On the Acura we had, I had to remove the driver side CV axle to get the alt. out.  I agree, they ARE a PIA.

[Rick]

Well, now that the job's complete and Jeff has had a night's sleep to clear his mind, it's time to ask the inevitable question:

How many parts did you have left over THIS time?

[RENOVATIONS]

0   

But I am tempted to drive 3 hours north and disassemble your car completely on Christmas eve...then you can spend Christmas morning putting together your new toy