I've had Izzy for six years and have never been forced to change a belt or anything hooked to it. How do I loosen the idler to change alternator?genso

 

refer to service/repair manual,
usually first you loosen the idler shaftbolt, then the takeup jackbolt,
also loosen the alternator mounting bolt @ the mountinmg bracket!

 

Not sure if it differs in every year model but with 97 isuzu rodeo.The alternator is located on the passenger side of the motor at the bottom. There is a bracket attached to the motor and the alternator.You need not take the bracket off to remove the alternator.Two bolts hold the alternator to the bracket. One bolt is on the front top of the alternator and one bolt is located on the bottom front of the alternator. The bottom front bolt is attached to the tension adjustment for the alternator. Loosen the tension screw then remove the bolt going through the tension adjustment. After you loosen the top, front bolt, the alternator should be loose enough to move side to side. Remove the top, front bolt. Now you must disconnect the alternator from the power supply. Behind the alternator is a screw with a wire attached via nut. Remove this wire. Nextly there is a series of wires with a plug on the end. It is plugged into the side of the alternator. Uplug this item. You can also access both of these from the passenger side front tire well.Be sure to check your manuals for assurance.

 

Thanks for response. I have a haynes manual but it doesn't show my tensioner... it is a round one with a hole in center and no bolt that I can find...it does have another wheel above it with a bolt but I can't get it to loosen...what am I doing wrong?

 

usually in all cars there is a diagram under the hood showing where the tensioner is