Before you jump into rebuilding the alternator, take a look at the ground wire coming off the back-side of the alternator. There should be a single, stand-alone black wire which connects a post on the alternator to one of the mounts. The groundng wire is prone to cathodic/galvanic corrosion. With luck, the repair may require no more then 10-12 gauge wire and two new crimp-on connectors (less then a dollar).
1st time poster to the group, any help would be appreciated. My above
> mentioned SAAB died on me on the way home from work the other day. I got it
> home, was out of town for a week, then came back and tried starting it with
> a booster. It took the charge and started, and I let it run for about 30
> minutes. The next day I went to start it and it was dead again. The
> battery is less than a year old. I have never had alternator problems
> before, but all signs point to this. Can I be sure that it is the
> alternator, and if so, how much can I expect to pay ($US) for a new one?
> Can they be replaced by a novice mechanic (me)? Any feedback appreciated. > Thanks,
>
> Joel
> Madison, WI, USA
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