NA Miata Alternator Replacement DIY

A bad alternator is one of the unfortunate parts that can leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Tools Required:

  • 10, 12, 13, 14 mm sockets
  • socket wrench with extensions

Parts Required:

Instructions:

  1. Open the trunk and disconnect the negative battery terminal.
  2. Remove the plastic air intake tube by loosening or removing all of the hose clamps attached to it. There are 2 large hose clamps to loosen with a screwdriver and pop off the throttle body and air intake. Then there is one small hose clamp to pop the breather hose off of the intake tube. Lastly, there is a medium-sized hose clamp on the left side of the intake tube that goes towards the throttle body.
  3. Locate the alternator. It is located on the passengers side of the car and should be easily visible beneath the throttle body with the air intake tube removed.
  4. Loosen and remove the nut for the positive battery post on the alternator, then pull the positive battery wire off of the stud. Be sure the negative terminal on the battery is disconnected (step 1) before doing this.
  5. Disconnect the electrical connector on the alternator by squeezing the tabs and pulling firmly.