97 Max dash lights flashing & car bucking

[Rex]

Co-workers 97 Max 5spd and I think the alternator is going/gone. Anyone repalce theirs? How hard is this for a DIY? Is an OEM reman the best option?

Assuming it's the alt, will fully charging the battery provide enough juice to drive ~5 miles to dealer/mech?

Is it really the Alt or possibly the starter overdrawing?

Thanks guys

[audtatious]

With the car running, has he checked the output from the alty?

Starter overdraw will simply cause multiple batteries to deep-cycle and die.

[coolhand]

I have. It is not that difficult, but you need the right tools. You will have to remove the alternator belt tension pulley and mounting bracket. Next the A/C needs to be unbolted from the engine(you do not have to disconnect the A/C lines from the compressor) and there is a A/C line bracket above the alternator that needs to be removed to allow the A/C unit to dangle for the removal of the alternator. There is a bracket on the top of the alternator that needs to be removed to ease the removal and install. The rest(if you know your way around cars) should be straight forward. Hope this helps.