This is a harder alternator to replace than most cars but if you have the patience it can be easier than you think. I have a 2000 Suzuki Esteem which is basically the same car with the same motor and the same problems with replacing the alternator. I have done this 4 times(bad replacement alternators) and the last time was just 2 weeks ago. I do have the Suzuki factory service manuals and I follow their advice which is remove the alternator from the bottom of the vehicle after removing the 2 bolts connecting the exhaust pipe flange to the catalytic converter which is a easy job and move the pipe over to the side about 2 inches. I always leave the alternator bottom bracket inplace and only remove the bolt on the bottom that's on the left bottom side of the bracket (the long one). I use the bracket to rest the alternator on when I install that top 12mm bolt so the alternator doesn't move around too much and is supported. On the top side only remove the air box. You remove the top 12mm bolt out last. break it loose with a 12mm open end wrench, then use a short 12mm open end wrench to turn the 12mm bolt out. It will only turn about a quarter turn at a time but it does come out without any problems with a short 12mm open end wrench. I done it this way since the car was 10 years old and it is getting easier each time (about an hour to replace). My problem was my power steering pump hose was leaking a little and it was dripping into my alternator and eventually burnt it out. I done this a few weeks ago and I'm 68 yrs old and been fixing vehicles for 50+ years and these Suzuki's alternators are a little tough to replace but with time and patience, it can be done in your carport or garage in a timely manner!

I just bought a used sx4 and part of my decision to buy one was the repair videos that you've made, they are spot on and done very well. A huge THANK YOU to you for the great information!! Please don't stop fixing and videoing your sx4 repairs. Thanks again, Jeff

Just completed this weekend. Pain in the rear for sure! Thank you so much for the awesome tutorials you do. Once the engine is jacked it is "easiest" to use a 12mm socket on a swivel to through the power steering pulley holes. Reinstalling I added masking tape around the bolt heads so they didn't fall out of the socket. Also I can only recommend 6 point sockets for this job! I started rounding the top alternator bolt with a 12 point. Getting the slimmest head socket wrench you can will pay dividends as well.

My son has 2009 Sx4, 121000 miles and his battery light came on a week ago. I checked the battery and the terminals, everything checked out fine. Checked alternator and the voltage would be at 14, then it would be at battery voltage. Belt tension is good and all connections were clean and secure. Ordered new alternator from Rockauto and replaced the old one today. What a pain, holy crap! I watched this video like 3 times, before I decided to attempt the exchange. I read the comments about not removing p/s pump and after 20 minutes of trying to get an open end wrench on the bolt, I proceeded to follow this video, which still is not an easy procedure, but was victorious in about 4 1/2 hours. New alternator in and working as intended. Thanks for making this video, made a tedious job go a lot smoother. Only put back 2 bolts back in p/s pump. Thanks again

Thanks for the video , it helped me know what kind of nightmare I was getting into. As Rapp said further below, it's simpler to remove the tensioner pulley and tensioner to do this, no fussing around the steering pump, intake manifold and all. Just requires patience as you will be unscrewing a bolt ¼ turn at a time !

You are a god send I’ve been looking for over six months for a video on how to do this gave up on it tbh. Looked today and found this video. Thank you so much.

I am currently doing this and you are right the longest time is to get the power steering bolts out, however if you have the correct length of socket then the poer steering bolts are a lot less difficult to remove. Still nee to remove the bottom bolts of the alternator they are proving a little tight. Your videos are great thank you so much.

Just repaired my 09. It was pretty brutal. I didn't Jack up the engine, but did unbolt the power steering block. Getting those power steering bolts back in was really tough. Glad it's done. Thx for the vid.

Thank you so much, most most helpful. Did the job a week ago and here are a few suggestions. As shown in your video I removed the three power steering bolts to tilt it up and get access to the top alternator bolt, but If I had to do it again I would first just loosen these 3 bolts and slightly move the power steering to gain some space for unscrewing the top bolt alternator with a closed wrench. I also replaced the tensioner which, once removed, gives some space for that wrench. Putting the power steering bolts back in place was a real painful challenge. Unmounting the engine is a must but I also forced/blocked it a few cm sideways to gain just a wee bit of space between the pulleys engine and the car frame. Finally, for putting in place a new alternator, I started first by screwing it ‘’loose’’ to the bottom bracket which helps a lot for aligning it with it's top bolt. Thanks again, Mi.

Had to change my alternator yesterday video was very informative never would have figured out how to get it out thank you very much for posting this video

This is a well done video. I had to do the same job and I took NO short cuts. I removed the intake manifold, raised the engine and loosened up the P. Steering pump. If the P.S.Pump pulley was secured with a nut as in my Subaru, the job would've been much easier, but I cannot complain since the Alternator lasted for 162 Km, a Mitsubishi Part. The trick did the use of 10 mm MAThread machine grade screws -with a leading nonthread post-that enabled me to secure back the PSP in less than half hr. with the use of 1/4 in. drive sockets etc. At the end, I was able to tightened with a 3/8 in. ratchet and a short 10 mm impact socket. The screw with the post, finds the hole and with a turn catches thread. I found them in my junk, a stroke of luck. I used tape and string. In the process, I saw the frame cross member rusted entirely, which I ordered to replace. This 07 SX4 has been flawless all these years.

Thank you! Great video. I had to replace both my alternator and radiator, and you saved me many mistakes and a lot of aggravation

Thanks for the video, The actual procedure from Suzuki requires you to drain the coolant and remove the intake manifold. I was about to start draining the rad before I watched your video. Glad to know that there is a better(?) way of changing this difficult component. TBH it is a better way because apart from not needing to open the cooling system and the fuel system, being able to raise and lower the engine makes changing the tensioner that much easier.

I don't even own this car, watched this anyways because I like the way you work and document haha

People keep telling me Suzuki closed. They didn't. They pulled out of NA market. They sell 2 million Suzukis worldwide every year. Parts are still available.

Your SX4 tutorials have been such a fantastic resource. Thanks so much from Seattle.

This was the repair that almost had me junking it. There was too much money involved in this repair and had me really thinking whether to go forward. Based on this review I knew that there was many hours going to be tied up in this and labor. Unfortunately a tow was also involved because I wasn’t near home. A 2007 that still owes me some more time.

Thanks for posting this!! I have SX4 that alternator just toasted. Lucky me...!! I knew it was going to be a pain in the ass!

Thank you SO much!! I changed mine using your video and it went well! I didn't unplug the battery and I should have though ;) No damage, just a small spark.

Absolutely outstanding video. Have to do one on Friday this helps so much. Clear and concise....perfect , thank you !!!!

You did the great job and a good experience. Your explanation is very good 👍🏼

Thank you very much for the video! I need to replace my sx4 alternator as well.

very clear and direct explanation in this tutorial,thanks for the good job.

Hey great video thanks it really help i did it without removing engine mount bolt ant power steering bolt it was a bit longer but was able to do it 👌👍

Great video partner, i'm looking at doing this tomorrow. Really appreciate the clear shots of what you're doing & calling out all the hardware sizes. Thank you so much!

Just took out the alternator and my 2 cents is… Do Not I repeat do not touch the P/S or engine mount. Remove the bottom bracket of the alternator and slip the bracket to the side. The top bolt of the alternator is the last bolt behind the P/S pulley so it’s gonna be a 12mm. Get an open wrench or a crows foot and loosen it. Once you have loosened it’s just a test of ur patience, as you will have to keep turning that bolt with that open wrench and it only turns about a 1 quarter of an inch. Don’t worry about clearance for the bolt to come out, cuz you’re gonna remove the alternator from the bolt instead of the other way around. A tip to that helped me majorly while doing this . Was pushing the alternator to the back with my hand I wasn’t wrenching with so that the bolt could sit flush against the bracket it’s bolted to. I tried to follow this video, but the p/s bolts are so uncomfortable to get to that doing 3 of them was crazy to me. I jacked up my engine only to have barely enough clearance it wasn’t worth it at all. I recommend going through it with that one bolt and instead of taking out the bolt install the alternator back onto the bolt. Hope this helps someone cuz the comments were too vague for me

Muito obrigado pelo vídeo amigo, .e ajudou muito aqui no Brasil... não temos muita coisa sobre esse veículo por aqui...mecânica muito restrita pela quantidade baixa de suzuki

Hey I'm in Winnipeg too!!! Keep posting !!!

Great video...thanks! Couple of questions. When u have jack on oil pan to raise engine is that the only thing supporting the car? Wanna b safe. Or are u jacking engine AND still using jack stands? If so how far did u jack engine up?

Hi I am into the same as you got to the part that now I got to get the top nut off But thanks for the video helps a lot!

OMG. This looks so hard. Thanks anyway for the great video.

well done nice job! my sx4 2009 is making a chirping sound and i believe its from the alternator aswell. Im going to try taking it down to replace the bearings.

Great Video ! Great Channel ! Thanks Again !

Do you have obd code with your cranking problem. ?? Fuel pressure checked? And your crank position sensor connection ok? .

FYI to replace the tensioner you do not have to remove the alternator. loosen the tensioner tip it to an angle then remove the pully (right hand thread like normal... I use an impact gun) now the tensioner will slip out. reverse to install the new one (but do not use an impact gun to tighten anything). Most guys think you have to remove the alternator to do this job. this trick saves 1 1/2 - 2 hours

Thanks for the videos. They help me a ton. I'm contemplating doing this one myself too. I have all the tools and I'm pretty competent. But if it took YOU 4 hours, it would take ME about 8. LOL

Where exactly are the three bolts securing the power steering pump?

I’m having such a hard time removing those power steering pump bolts to replace the pump and alternator any resources to help would be great

I verified the cables behind the alternator yesterday and I felt something loose now when I turn on the engine the dashboard begins to turn off and on repeatedly as well the a/c.

I did this today on a lift and man it was not easy, took about 2 hours. I couldn't imagine doing it on jack stands. Repair instructions say to remove intake manifold, the hell with that.

Hola saludos tengo una duda acerca de cómo aflojar la bomba de power steering y cómo debo sacarla y que herramientas debo utilizar ?

Thanks for the video. I am planning to remove and by pass the ac compressor of my 2013 since it stopped working. Im sure the compressor bearing is putting a lot of strain on the belt drive...

Thank you for your video,very helpful,I did the job 👍

You are the man. Helpful much

I have a question for you I just bought a Suzuki and it's missing a part dont know the part number or name

Did you place the jack under the oil pan?

I attempted to remove it but yes the power steering pump bolts is what made me give up. My question is what kind of wrench did u use to get that last bolt out.

I have a 2013 SX4 4x4, 1.6 VVT 120hp Are you aware if a cruise control retrofit is possible?

Where are those three bolts located there is nothing that shows where they came from

I had the same issue with staling. You can try to clean the throttle body. I also had to replace my throttle body because it was causing cel codes. Cleaning it helped with the idle/stalling issue because carbon builds and makes it stick but I still got codes till I swapped out with a good used TB from ebay . No issues for over a year now (till my alternator died but it still runs good)

Thanks ✅️ for the video. I have the same problem...

Great instruction.

Wish you showed how to get the alternator out. Is it easier when you mover the power steering pump? I got all the bolts and wiring off the alternator but couldn't squeeze the alternator out any way.

Good job, Sir

Hello friend, thank you very much for your videos, I always watch them when I need to do a mechanical consultation, but I'm at an impasse, I can't find the bearing measurements for this alternator, mine make noise and I simply need to change the bearings, could you help me please? ? Thanks in advance for your attention.

Husky long reach slim head open end wrenches make it easier to remove alt.

Great video helped a lot

You mean the generator is the alternator right , I have a Suzuki. Model Kei it’s a 660c same problem

I just finish mine,not an easy job.Those 3 bolts are a pain in the butt.To get it I loose it with an open key and a 1/4 inch ratchet with a 12mm socket thrue the hole in the power steering pump pulley.

Hi the problem is you do not show the whole process. Like the 3 bolts of the power steering pump and how you took out the generator.

This is a drive-by-wire throttle without an IAC solenoid or servo. The butterfly position controls the engine's idle speed. Buildup around the throttle butterfly restricts airflow and until minimum airflow position is relearned, it will stall at startup. Clean your throttle body and it will start and idle normally. PS remove it and clean BOTH sides.

This has an electronic throttle body. You need to clean it with sensor safe throttle body cleaner. Most likely it is dirty and idle air is not enough at startup to keep it running until you rev it some, then the computer takes over to hold idle at desired RPM

Btw aside from used parts.... How hard is it to find parts since suxuki closed down when u need dealer only parts?

I can't get the motor mount bolt back on the car. The mount will just not fit and align. Please help!

Hi .. How far did you lift the engine ..? Im doing from top as not to damage oil pan or the seal .. But how many Inces did you raise the engine after taking out the upper motor mount ? Thanks for your Time and all your SX 4 Video's .

Does the alternator I buy have to be specific to my 2012 Suzuki SX4 or are they practically universal?

Damn what 3 bolts? There js like 6 of them and I cant find which of them to remove tho. You showed everything except what 3bolts to remove.

There is no need to remove the P/S pump (or engine mount bolt). When the upper bolt is to be removed, simply loosen the 12mm bolt and allow the alternator to move inboard. The bolt remains in situ to deal with the clearance issue with the P/S pump pulley. It's tricky access and requires patience. No disrespect intended your video remains well done!

Tanks you for explain me !!

Engine stall could be caused by the alarm system going in theft mode or just getting the computer to reset because the batt was unhooked .... Perhaps . It happens on some GM products too sometimes

well my 2007 sx4 lights are all pulsing bad now so after checking everything I'm 99% sure it's voltage regulator inside the alt/gen. I'm replacing today although I'm pretty sure the entire job may take me 3-4 days as I'm disabled. I bought the factory e-manual & I'm going through the intake manifold way like it says to do in the book. That hard to reach upper gen. bolt and loosen power steering pump method seems much harder to me than disconnecting everything & doing it behind & under the manifold. Once I've got intake out, that bolt is easy to get as well as pull out gen. easy too. I'll post when I'm done. Fingers crossed

The engine is likely stalling after starting because it needs to re-learn how to use the throttle body. I am pretty sure that after awhile, it'll fix itself. It is not uncommon for something like this to happen after a battery dies while driving.

Great video and proceedure Those swines of engineers who designed it though lol

Thx

I will sell mine if I ever have to do this again. This is worse than working on a Volvo. I miss the old school Chevy straight six’s

I just used a quarter stick of dynamite to blast off the old alternator, took me 12 seconds.

Hey Yuri! My Suzuki SX4 is the first car I'm going to be learning on doing my own repairs (within reason). Could you send me any valuable info/tips you have for them? I'll send my email when I hear from you.

I believe you have dirty throttle body and computer has to relearn idle position after losing its battery backed memory. I have 05 Aerio. Please show your alternator rebuild. Cheers

Заглох из-за отклчения клем на акумуляторе. Нужно время на "обучение" ))

Power steering pump bolts are a pain took me hours

Maybe need a tune up

I have done this by unbolting intake manifold and swinging it to driver side left throttle body hoses and injectors in it's a nasty job I'm a master tech working In an all makes shop and this job sucks didn't touch the power steering pump it came out

Why would you only put back 2 screws instead of 3. Omg :(

Would have been nice if Suzuki would have made an opening on the fire wall to reach the alternator.........

God what an awful design. It almost looks like they initially forgot to put the alternator in and later though "hmm where can we jam it in?"

Imma go ahead and pay somebody to do it! geeez 😬

Hi can i pls talk to you about removing the bolt from the power steering pump pls can i txt you in facebook messenger pls or send me pm pls

So is the sx4 worth buying in rhe us

You did not disclose how to remove the power steering pump bolts so thumbs down 38

what a stupid design by Suzuki, I just bought same year SX4 hatchback & have owned a 2010 SX4 also. hard cars to work on

My guess is that you have a dirty maf sensor.

I have to apologize for the remark about the "generator". Suzuki calls it a generator so it must be, sorry for the miss understanding.

The bolts are not 14 mm. The hex head is 14 mm but the bolt is a different size.

I paid my local Suzuki shop to replace my alternator when it died. It cost me $700 CAD. I wish I saw this video before doing that, so that I could have done it myself.

It is not generator. It is an Alternator. There is a difference.

Tanks you for explain me !!