Alternators go bad, seize or wear out eventually. This guide details how to replace the alternator on your GTI VR6.

Tools and Parts required:

• 7mm, 8mm, 13mm, 16mm sockets
• 5mm, 8mm hex driver
• Phillips Screwdriver
• M8-1.25-80 bolt
• New Alternator

Step	Description	Photo
1.	Open the hood. Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal.
2.	Locate the airbox (passenger side of car).
3.	Use the phillips screwdriver to unscrew the hose clamp indicated by the yellow arrow. Gently pull the hose off. Unplug the wire connector from the MAF (mass airflow sensor) indicated by the green arrow.
4.	Unclasp the MAF from the airbox. Use your fingers to unhook the two clamps pointed at by the blue arrows.
5.	Unclasp the top of the airbox. Use your fingers to unhook the two clamps pointed at by the red arrows. You should now be able to wiggle the MAF out of the airbox. Wiggle the top of the airbox off and separate from the bottom.
6.	Remove the lower half of the airbox. There are two rubber bands holding the airbox down. Find the rubber bands pointed to by the red arrows and remove. Lift lower half of airbox out.
7.	Remove the three 8mm bolts holding the plastic trim piece onto the top of the radiator support (note wrench in picture).
8.	Remove the hose indicated by the blue arrow. This hose should be unclamped from the piece just past the alternator (unclamp at red arrow). My clamps were rusted; you can also use a 7mm socket to unclamp. Use a 5mm hex driver (green arrow) to remove the hose bracket from the manifold. Make sure to remove this hose or it will be very difficult to remove alternator.
9.	Locate the serpentine belt tensioner. Use a M8-80 (8mm by 80mm long) hex bolt to remove tension. Thread bolt into hole at green arrow. Tighten until tension is released and you can remove the serpentine belt. Don't overtighten.
10.	Remove serpentine belt.
11.	Remove tensioner from engine block. Use a 13mm socket to remove the three bolts. Remove tensioner.
12.	Picture with tensioner removed, alternator is to the right.
13.	Hard part -- it's tight. Remove the main wire from the alternator (red arrow) using a 13mm socket. Unplug the connector from the alternator (yellow arrow). Remove the wire holder using an 8mm socket (green arrow). I unbolted the alternator first in order to rotate it and provide an angle to unbolt.
14.	Unbolt the two 13mm bolts from the alternator. Use a breaker bar to get the alternator off its bracket. To get the alternator out of the car, you have to raise the passenger side of the engine.
15.	Locate the passenger side rear motor mount by the firewall. Unbolt the 8mm bracket for the wire holder. Use a 16mm socket to loosen the motor mount. I left it partially threaded, loose, but not fully removed.
17.	Remove the front motor mount using an 8mm hex driver. Place a jack under the engine and use a large wooden board to distribute the weight. Make sure you are on a solid portion of the engine. Jack up the engine.
18.	Pull the alternator out. Picture shows the alternator removed.
19.	Reinstall new alternator by reversing the above steps.