I need to change the alternator on my 2000 dodge grand caravan sport. Can someone please tell me how to release tension on the serpentine belt? Thank You.

I have to use a 15mm open/closed end wrench on the tensioner pulley. Use the closed end of the 15mm and pull toward you and use the end of a cresent wrench to use for additional torque. You can slip the belt over the fixed pulley (not the tensioner pulley). Give yourself more room by not using the hood bar and use instead a broomstick on the right side to prop the hood open. I recommend a goodyear gator belt too. Good Luck, you'll need it with a caravan. Its on the left side. its the easyest pully to see.

http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/jpg/small/0900823d8010b6d6.jpg


http://image01.shopzilla-images.com/resize?sq=140&uid=762102759

Hope this helps and please don't forget to rate.

The alternator on the '96-'00 RS body minivans is easy to replace. use a 15mm wrench on the tensioner and slip a pipe over the wrench for more leverage,slip the belt off of the fixed position flat pulley and let the tensioner up. remove the triangular bracket on top of the alternator.If the flat braid ground cable from this bracket to the firewall has disintegrated (its unlikely to have lasted this long) the vehicle specific pinch clip cable is discontinued. A generic 6 or 8 inch ground braid can replace it The ground cable end terminals don't vanish, look for a 1/2" wide strap terminal under a nut on the firewall and a pinch clip on the alternator bracket. If you were replacing the alternator because the battery wasn't charging, re-evaluate that and check on the similar ground cable on the transmission side that goes to the mount bracket on the driver side wheel well underneath the battery.

If the alternator still need to be replaced, then pinch and remove connector from the rear and then undo the nut and remove the power lead, before unbolting the alternator.

If you're frustrated by poor access, remove the windshield wiper box. Disconnect the cable connector and the washer fluid hoose and the left and right drain hoses, remove the wiper arms, then the box cover, then the 4 braces on top and then the bolts to the firewall and remove the wiper box.