2003 V6 frontier alternator removal is difficult! how to?

[03xe4x4rocknit]

first post so be gentle...

looking forward to some good reads and info around here to go with my recent purchase a 2003 sand xe 4x4 V6 that i've yet to have much fun with. Not to worry, this truck has found a good home for that

I actually had the truck sitting for a couple of months since purchasing it and when i went to use it for a weekend i notice on my scan gauge that my battery was running everything and assumed that the alternator was probably to blame. Or so i assume with the little practical trouble shooting abilities that I claim to own.

I've since replace the battery as it was holding very little charge and was the original part. So that should be part of the problem sorted then...Now comes the inquiry that i am looking for some advice on.

I'm trying to remove the alternator to have it bench tested and can't seem to find a way to get the larger (closer to the rear) of the plugs removed. I can't feel anything other than a boot which i can peel upward and then feel heavy wire and nut junction. There doesn't feel like a clamp or something plastic to unlock on this plug. It is very fixed and i've trying prying it off blindly with a hooked screwdriver but just chipped a small bit of the ceramic housing off.

This is scratching a hole in my head and i spent a good couple of hours of finger torture trying to get it off without removing anything other then the belt fron the alternator itself.

The location is ideal and i could concievable remove it like this if i could remove that darn plug. Do I need to remove the front end or something extremely involved as that?

I can't wait to hear some advice and really appreciate any thoughts or ideas that come from my frustration. Apparently my visualization for this success will need a cheat or two to complete this task.

Thanks for your help

[Rev_D21]

I believe the booted plug on the back of the alt is held on by an 8mm nut. I imagine that the alt can be removed from under the truck. I haven't done one on my 02 3.3L but from what I have seen it doesn't appear to be bad.

Welcome to NICO!

[03xe4x4rocknit]

Thanks for that Rev_D21.

I didn't think to try and un-nut that plug as it didn't seem possible to me that was an option. Ok, im off and running with this idea. Just hope that the alternator i just ordered from a wrecker didn't get picked off from one of the yard cartel'ers.

Now if i can just find a will and a way to get at the nut with the socket....if this goes as easy as planned, i might just confront the dealership who quoted me with there 3 hrs of labour and $800 tag to replace and install.

I'll let you know how i made out and thanks again for the direction.

Cheers

[1991Hardbody]

According to the service manual info that I pulled up, the job calls for 0.9 hrs labour!
The only thing not directly connected to the alt that you need to remove is the vehicle's undercover. After that, it's a simple matter of unplugging, unbolting, and drop it out the bottom. Regulator plug (the square plug) should have a tab on it that you depress and yank the plug out. They can be stubborn sometimes, and you may have to wiggle and pull with a little force and some patience. Overall its a pretty simple job. Good luck in your mission!