Alternator changed, & won't start now.

-Changed old alternator.
unfastened the idler pulley.
unhooked two electrical wires from alternator
unfastened 2 bolts

-installed new alternator, in reverse
turned ignition on
made dry wheezing sound like it had a bad timing belt (but we have timing chain)
it shut-off by itself
and there was a bit of smoke coming from the engine bay

I'm not sure how anyone could mess this up, but I'm sure I need to replace some parts under the hood, anyone have any ideas for me to go on why it won't start, why there is a wheezing sound. The exact sound it makes is like it had a bad timing belt, but 2007 has a chain.

 

Is the new alternators pulley frozen up

 

I'm guessing the new alternator was bad, had a bad pulley and froze up. I'm guessing that's because you bought a cheap Chinese one.

Why did you replace the old one? They rarely ever go bad.

 

I'll second the motion on the bad alternator. During the rebuild process, it's possible that you got a faulty alternator (it happens!).

I would have return it immediately to the auto parts store. Most auto parts chains will test the alternator, and would replace a new, faulty alternator.

You mentioned the idler pulley was removed. I recall that the idler pulley has a 14 mm nut, that just rotates on its arm, to loosen the serpentine belt (without uninstalling the idler pulley).

Then, it was mentioned that 2 wires were disconnected. The alternator has a plug with 3 wires + a thick gage wire from the battery that installs on a 10mm stud. The plug is poka-yoka style (meaning that it plugs in only one way). I pasted a diagram of the connectors and the correct installation orientation.

To install it upside down would have been very difficult, as the double ended pair of legs in the alternator, would not have fit on the top mount for the screw in the engine block.

Was your car a 4th GEN model?

If the car has lights on in the dash, while moving the key, and it just that the starter doesn't turn the engine over, check the starter relay.
That relay is the first one (left to right), at the bottom of the relay & fuse box, when you are standing on the driver side fender side. This relay sits next to the long line of fuses, on the right hand side of the fuse box in the engine bay.



The listing on the relays and fuses is inside the top cover for the engine bay fuse box.

Have the alternator replaced, the relay or affected fuses resolved (you may need an electro-mechanic) and try reinstalling it again.

Good luck!