Alternator need quick advice plzzz

[Moose22]

Hello, i have a 1999 Chevy Blazer 4.3L LT and my battery keeps on dieing after charging it, so i am pretty sure that the alternator is shot. What i was wondering is, first, is it that hard to replace a alternator for somebody that doesnt really know that much(is there a possibility that i can mess up more?) and i have a speaker system in my truck and the lights dim when the bass hits and the battery meter moves so should i get a more powerful alternator? And if so, are there ones that will fit right in where the stock one is??Any help? THANK YOU!

[Fractured1]

First off I think I would get to an auto zone and have both the battery and alt. tested...the alternator is straight foward to replace...Always make sure to disconect the negative terminal from your battery first..
Also after installation remove the positive side terminal and clean both the battery post and the cable ends...reconnect the pos side first then the neg...
As to the issue of a more powerful alt. I don't know...maybe some one else has info on that area..

[troubles789]

They sale high amp output alternators for big music systems too. Might want to check into this farther also.

[chcknugget]

What is the amperage of a stock alternator?

[Moose22]

Thanks but now a new news is that i just went and started my blazer and the battery light went out and the battery needle went back to normal and everything looked good, (with my speaker system unplugged) i then plugged it back in and the battery light went back on! Could this be a electrical problem or the alternator cant handle the system just the regular functions? By the way what is normal for the voltage(battery) meter 14? plus , minus?

[chcknugget]

I've heard that 14.4V is normal when the car is on, and ~12V is normal when car is off.

[Moose22]

I Think 100 amp 105 stock about. I am thinking now it might be my system , or my alternator is dieing but not quite dead !! Any advice will help, or tips thanks!

[chcknugget]

Have you gone to autozone to have it checked? I would make sure your battery will hold a charge.

The only hard part about replacing an alternator is removing the serpantine belt, and that is totally easy to do. Then put the new alternator on the same way you took the old one off.

Beware the autozone alternators. The one I got was remanufactured, and it has only been a year and it's going. I have a sound system and plan on installing a capacitor soon. Power capacitors can prolong the life of your alternator by reducing the normal wear and tear bass power bumps that the alternator has to compensate for.

[TonyMazz]

Before you go to autozone or anywhere else....as the cool weather comes it seems more pronounced...

Take your cables off of the battery and thoroughly clean them with a light-grit sand paper, and clean your cable connectors as well. More often than not you can remedy this situation with a simple cleaning.....

We often think because we see the lights that it's sufficient to start the car and it's not....I also have a 99-blazer as well as other cars...this is the first thing to try......

[troubles789]

Get a ohm meter and do some testing with your stereo and such on. Hook it up to your battery and test before start, during start and running. Should get different readings. Then turn on the radio and see. Dont know the amps on the 99, but a 93 was 105 and they sell a high output for the 93 rated at 160.

[IGOTTABLAZER2]

Ya alternator definitely doesn't have enough power if it dimmers. Mine use to do that, you have to make you the alternator can accomodate it. At Autozone, they will give you the suggested alt. Also, make sure you battery has great cranking amps!