So, for anyone who cares, I just picked up a 97 SW2 5-speed for my daily commute. It has 227k on it, and needed a starter right off the bat. Got it pop-started, drove it home (90 miles), and had no issues at all. Picked up a cheap starter from Rock Auto (55.00!!) got it in with no issues (took about an hour) hooked up the -cable, and it started right up . EXCEPT...charge lamp is on & the battery only has 12.2v!!!! Soooo I got a used alternator for 25.00, installed this am & things look good again. I guess where they were both OE parts I can't complain that they only lasted 17 years & a quarter of a million miles, right??

 

Congrats!!
now pictures of this said 1997 SW2 or it never happened

 

working on it!!!!!!

 

yay! we like pics

 

Get that battery load tested first. It might be that and not the alternator.

 

actually, I had the alternator tested before replacing it...bat had decent voltage & gave me no guff on the 90 mile ride home after buying it, so I gave it a clean bill of health....everything seems good....for now....

 

Well, in that case, happy motoring!