My girlfriends daughters 96 SL2 is starting to occasionally flash the battery light. I'm guessing the alternator is near the end of its life? Where is the alternator? On top or down farther? It has A/C. I recently did a bunch of work on it but took it to my friends shop to replace the tensioner. That was down low and looked hard to get at so I just had my friend do it (actually it was squealing and I thought it was maybe the power steering pump). So I'm wondering (since the car is not here) how hard is it to get the alternator in and out? I just put in a new battery a few months ago. Cables looked good.

Thanks
Rodney

 

Swap from the underside, not all that tough.

 

I did a Google search and found write ups it in several places. I may do it. If the battery light comes on occasionally for short durations do you feel it is probably the alternator? I'm sure it is just the regulator but I'll buy a rebuilt alternator.

Rodney

 

check output with a voltmeter under load or have it bench tested by someone who actually knows what they're doing

 

Both Autozone and Advance Auto Parts can check the charging system in the parking lot. They have a portable load tester that will tell you if the battery or the alternator is the most likely problem. Could be that the alternator just needs a new set of brushes. That's a lot cheaper than buying another alternator and is a simple job.

 

simple for some, difficult for others