Advice: 1994 SW2 Alternator, worth replacing?

[IceWewe]

Hello all,

I was driving down the highway the other day in my SW2, which was running perfectly, when I look down at the dash and notice, to my dismay, that the battery indicator light was on. Got out my multi-meter and measured the battery voltage when the car was on and off, and there's no change, it's flat at 12V (don't have a meter that measure to more digits then that on me.)

I'm wondering, since this car has a cracked windshield and the odo no longer works, is it even worth the money to fix this? What would you do in my position?

It seems like every other month (quickly becoming every month) it's something else with this car. Last November the spark plugs, wires, and the serp belt were replaced to fix a lack of acceleration. Last month I had the muffler replaced as the old one gave out.

Car has approximately 155 000 miles on it (I don't know exactly since the odo stopped worked several months ago,) where do I draw the line?

Thanks for your thoughts/suggestions.

[CL8]

Originally Posted by IceWewe

Hello all,

I was driving down the highway the other day in my SW2, which was running perfectly, when I look down at the dash and notice, to my dismay, that the battery indicator light was on. Got out my multi-meter and measured the battery voltage when the car was on and off, and there's no change, it's flat at 12V (don't have a meter that measure to more digits then that on me.)

I'm wondering, since this car has a cracked windshield and the odo no longer works, is it even worth the money to fix this? What would you do in my position?

It seems like every other month (quickly becoming every month) it's something else with this car. Last November the spark plugs, wires, and the serp belt were replaced to fix a lack of acceleration. Last month I had the muffler replaced as the old one gave out.

Car has approximately 155 000 miles on it (I don't know exactly since the odo stopped worked several months ago,) where do I draw the line?

Thanks for your thoughts/suggestions.

From my budget standpoint, if I couldn't afford the payment for a new or good used car, I would keep fixing it.
If my budget could afford the payments on a good used vehicle I would go that route.( preferably pay in cash for a good used vehicle with the money you would spend fixing you old one, then you would have no payments.)
Also make sure a mechanic checks out a vehicle you might buy, you would hate to buy a vehicle with worse problems than the one you have.

[RC1488]

You could rebuilt the car top to bottom and still pay less than that for a new car. Id fix it.

You can always go to the junk yard. Get a new (used really ) alternator. Here's how to change it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iogtiYraHCg

The windshield I recommend having it fixed by a professional. The 1st gen windows are tricky and unfortunetly more pricey than the rest of the s-series.

[IceWewe]

@RC1488

Thank you, having a visual on how this is done is really helpful! This, in addition to the repair documents I have on where the bolts are including sizes, etc, should make this an easy job.

Do you happen to have instructions on how to get the splash panel(s) off? That's the only part I can't figure out at this point.

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by IceWewe

@RC1488

Thank you, having a visual on how this is done is really helpful! This, in addition to the repair documents I have on where the bolts are including sizes, etc, should make this an easy job.

Do you happen to have instructions on how to get the splash panel(s) off? That's the only part I can't figure out at this point.

They are held in with push pin type fasteners. Remove the center of the push pin then the outside. I believe there are 2 on each side. Then remove the slash guard

[SC2ner]

The car is certainly worth keeping. Not only are first Gen wagons rare (from a enthusiest pov) but you are replacing maintainance parts. Serp belt, plugs and wires??? You think a new car will not make you replace those. They go bad. It's what they do. Alternators for these cars are around 70-100 dollars. Go on Saturnfans.com and send a private message to OldNuc. He will tell you what the website is for cheap but good quality alternators. The windshield is really up to you. Through saturn, IIRC, is really exspensive. Trying contacting a comepany called safelite. Look them up on google. We use them for a dealer. They are all over and do a good job for cheap.

What RC said is right. Access the alternator by removing the splash shield on the passenger side. Disconnect the battery first. Then remove the serp belt and bolts and the battery harness and unplug it and you're good to go. Quick easy repair.

[s1120]

I would replace it..

Unless you are buying new, odds are any used car will need that stuff anyways.