Alternator in 97 Sunfire, 2.4

[ThePrairieProphet]

So my battery light has come on in my car, but only comes on if i'm idling, like under 1500 rpm. Whenever I rev the engine up the light shuts off. I took my car to my local Part Source store, and they tested my alternator, it failed. Part of me doesn't really trust the knowledge of the guy who tested it, seemed kind of...not a car guy. But, I don't doubt that I need a new alternator, I've had my car for 3 and a half years and haven't had to change it thus far. Who knows how long it was in there prior to when I bought it. So, I have two questions:

1.) Judging from my problem, is a new alternator the right course of action?

2.) Is there a good diy link for changing this particular part? I've searched around without much luck.

The catch, I'm changing it in like...3 hours.

[GTP Dad]

Try the autozone web site. You can register and get repair information there. As for changing it the procedure is relative straight forward. Just a couple of hand tools should do the trick. Make sure you unhook the battery before you start as you can fry the new one if you hook it up with the system hot. Also make sure to clean the wire that connects to the back of the alternator before reinstalling.

As for the alternator being bad, yes it could be the problem. Although make sure the belt is not slipping causing it not to charge correctly. Sometimes the tensioner will go bad and the belt slips just enough the alternator does not charge properly.

Good Luck!!!

[ThePrairieProphet]

Thanks much, I was actually on the autozone site already and haven't been able to find the instructions for the alternator. the biggest problem i'm having is getting the belt off. That tensioner is being a real pain. But, I'll be calling my car guy shortly, thanks for the tips!

[J_UMPER1984]

hey i went to college for automotive and when we saw things like that mostly it was just the battery terminals where just lose and alternators can go all the time its an easy easy job the serp belt is only hard to remeber how to put back on those are always a bitch

[ThePrairieProphet]

Update, I changed the alternator, and yeah, getting that belt back on was hell. Funny thing, everywhere i found said turn the tensioner clockwise, but the autozone site diagram indicated otherwise (even though they said clockwise below). we turned counterclockwise, and wadda ya know. haha.

anyways, new alternator is in, and i drove it a bunch, no issues, now all of a sudden my battery light is on again. it comes on and off, though today it was on more often than off. i'm assuming it's a wiring issue, unless i got a bum alternator. battery is about a year and a half old and they said it was good when i tested it yesterday.

when the problem first started last week i cleaned my battery posts and everything involved at the battery connection point. took my little rotary tool with a sander and grinder bit to everything, connections should be fine. any ideas?

oh yeah, i have my subwoofer amp wired in to my positive post right at the battery, wonder if maybe that could have something to do with it. bad ground or something? that's something i'll look at too. if anyone can give me some tips, that'd be great. waiting for my car guy to get back to me also.

[ThePrairieProphet]

anyone?